Tayside business leaders meet to discuss support for Ukrainian refugees
Duncan Spinner, who was evacuated from Luhansk after seven years, shared stories of his colleagues in need of help
Business leaders from highland Perthshire and beyond met today at the Schiehallion Hotel in Aberfeldy to discuss supporting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.
Duncan Spinner was evacuated from Luhansk with his young daughter after working with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for seven years.
Spinner, originally from Pitlochry, shared stories of his hundreds of friends and colleagues who are all seeking refuge as they flee the conflict. He highlighted how important it is that businesses support these people, while laying out the best practice to do so.
The former member of the special monitoring mission to the Ukraine as part of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said: "This is one of the greatest humanitarian crisis the world has seen since the second world war. A number of the other conflicts recently, Bosnia, Syria, Iraq, pale into insignificance in terms of the actual impact on Europe and the wider strategic situation.
"So I'm here (Schiehallion Hotel) today to start the process of asking local communities across Scotland to think about what it is that they might be able to do for Ukrainian refugee's when they begin to arrive."
He added: "In local communities there's much more precise allocation of support, aid and comfort. So, I think it's really important that local communities begin to organise now, anticipating what is going to be necessary once the UK opens it's doors properly so we can give a warm welcome to the thousands of Ukrainians who are on their way."
Spinner will also be travelling back to Ukraine temporarily to bring support such as military surplus equipment, he said: "Helmets, is the big call. Body armour if people have it. Helmets and body armour are really expensive. Helmets and body armour are non-lethal aid.
"They're defensive. They can be used by soldiers, they can be used by non-governmental organisations, they can be used by civilians to protect themselves. So, that's the sort of thing we're looking at. Also anything that can provide a bit of comfort as well.
"We have some warm weather gear going as well and I think it's just really important to get something there to demonstrate to people that we are thinking of them, that we are going to support them in the long run as best we can."
He added: "Of course there's fear, but, I'm going to Lviv which is relatively safe and also, I served in the British army for many years. I understand the risks, this is a calculated risk and there are many people, including my friends, who are taking much greater risks than I will be."
Robin Menzies owner of the Mains of Taymouth Country Estate and Golf Course in Kenmore said: "It's such an awful situation in Ukraine and we all feel quite helpless over here but we want to be ready when, eventually, we have some sort of humanitarian help that we can do.
"On a personal level, my wife is Polish so she's got a lot of connections with eastern Europe and we've had a lot of Ukrainian workers in the past."
