Update.

Our Ukrainian families are now settled in the house which we were generously offered rent free for two years. We have made minor upgrades to the property to bring it in line with rental legislation. The children (Ivan and Kyra) are attending Highland Fling two days a week (the after school club which rents our church hall) and they will be starting Duddingston Primary School soon. Iryna (mother of Ivan) is soon to start a beginner’s English course at Telford College and has been receiving face to face lessons from Marjory, a member of our congregation. Sofia (17 year old daughter of Olga) is starting a course in English for Work & Study. Olga has started a course in “English for speakers of other languages”. The three adults will shortly receive bicycles from the Bike Station in Causewayside for which we made a small donation. The two children already have bicycles that have been kindly donated. In addition, they all have gym memberships with Edinburgh Council and are registered with local doctors and dental practices. The adults have received NI numbers and intend to seek paid employment as soon as the children are settled in school. Through time, costs for the house will be moved over to them. They have enjoyed helping out at the Garden Room Café over the summer. Olga, Sofia and Kyra have been in Kyiv (previously Kiev) for two weeks for Sofia to sit her baccalaureate to allow her to proceed at some point into future education in Ukraine. They have now returned safely to Edinburgh to continue their new lives. World Church members remain in close contact with the families to provide support, but increasingly they are self managing their affairs.

We have secured a second property a hope to have it occupied before too long.

Thank you

Background.

Duddingston Kirk, as a congregation, has initiated a project to assist Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the war in their country. In particular, the project seeks to support the relocation of refugees in our area, by offering accommodation and other support they may require to help establish themselves in our community.

It is anticipated that support for the project will be required for a period of 2 years.  
To this end, we have setup a restricted fund within our accounts to provide financial support as part of the wider support package. This Restricted Fund will be used to, but not limited to, pay rent, utilities and living expenses. These funds will not be used for any other purpose but should the fund, at some point in the future, no longer be needed then any surplus funds will be donated to Christian Aid’s Refugee appeal.

We are suggesting a pledge of £20 per month for 2 years or whatever you feel you can afford.   You can do this by setting up a standing order to the following account:

Sort code: 80-02-87
Account number: 10084662
Bank of Scotland
Account name: Duddingston Kirk

If you set up a standing order please complete a pledge form and send it to the address below. Or you can take a photo of it with your phone and email it to:
office AT duddingstonkirk.org.uk

One off cash and cheque donations are of course welcome. Please make cheques payable to Duddingston Kirk and write Refugee Fund on the back so we can correctly record your donation. Please enclose a completed pledge form with your donation.

Please complete your details on the pledge form and return it to:
Duddingston Kirk (Church of Scotland) 5 Old Church Lane Edinburgh EH15 3PX
Tel: 0131 661 4240 (Charity number SCO16610).

Don’t forget to tick the box on the form if we can Gift Aid your donation.

So far we have in excess of £20,000 in pledges and a home is in the process of being prepared for a family of Ukrainian refugees.

A BIG thank-you to all who have supported this effort so far.

Yours, Rev Dr Jim Jack.