Ukrainian children's charity boss returning to country for first time since rescue mission
Dnipro Kids helped evacuate 52 Ukrainian orphans to Scotland
Last updated 30th Jan 2023
A Perth and Kinross councillor who helped rescue 52 Ukrainian orphans from the war-torn country is flying back today for the first time since the mercy mission.
Steven Carr, who runs the charity Dnipro Kids, will return to the city to visit the orphanages still there to offer support.
He will also meet with representatives of Dnipro's local authority to discuss what more help can be given.
The local hero’s lengthy three-day journey includes a flight out to Poland followed by an 18-hour train journey over to the Eastern Ukraine city.
Mr Carr said: “It’ll be emotional - it always is.
“I’ve been doing it for 17 years and I’m always met with smiles and cuddles.
“We have one orphanage that never got evacuated so I need to visit them.
The kids here all got Christmas presents so I need to make sure they get something too,” he added.
Missile strike "brings conflict home"
Dnipro Kids has been working to care for orphans in the city for almost two decades.
Mr Carr says he was saddened to see the city he had spent so much time in devastated by a missile strike last weekend.
The councillor said: “The missile strike was right next to an aqua park where we used to take the children during the holidays.
“Seeing the devastation on TV of somewhere I have been really brings it home.”
The charity chairman received numerous awards for his valiant efforts in bringing Ukrainian children back to Scotland.
Following his two-week mercy mission last March, Mr Carr was elected to Perth and Kinross Council in May 2022 as the SNP elected member for the Strathallan ward.
His charity was founded by Hibs fans when the Scottish football side played Dnipro in the UEFA Cup in 2005.
More information about the work of Dnipro Kids can be found at dniprokids.com