Sunday 24 November 2024
 7.6°C   ESE Near Gale
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

News / Syria vigil planned as refugee support grows

A SILENT vigil for refugees fleeing Syria will take place at Lerwick’s Market Cross next weekend as support for the thousands of people trying to escape the war zone grows throughout Shetland.

The Facebook page Shetland Solidarity with Refugees has attracted over 1,300 followers in 24 hours since being launched on Thursday afternoon by Lerwick woman Tina Grant.  

Meanwhile Shetland Islands Council said they were ready to act if a call went out from government after a top level crisis meeting is held on Friday.

Grant said she started the page in response to growing calls on social media for someone to do something in the islands to help the refugees after news images of a three year old boy washing up on a Turkish beach spread anguish across the globe.

Already fundraising events to raise money to send to CalAid, who are helping refugees in the French port town of Calais, have already been organised, starting with a blues and poetry concert on Friday night (4 September) at The Booth in Hillswick starting at 8pm.

The Sunday teas at Levenwick hall on Sunday 13 September will raise funds for the French international aid organisation Médicins Sans Frontiéres.

Burra public hall is open from Friday until Sunday for people to drop off essential items to help the people in Calais.

A further drop off point is being set up at The Booth in Hillswick.  

On Monday the five women administrating the Shetland Solidarity Facebook page will meet to discuss how to take the campaign forward.

Jeanette Nowak from Yell whose awareness raising efforts on Facebook inspired Grant to act, said she was delighted someone was doing something.

“I have been agitating for a wee while waiting for some other body to actually do something, and I think a lot of people in Shetland feel quite relieved that someone has done something about it,” she said.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

“Now we’ve started people are asking so many questions about what’s going to happen, so we’re going to have a meeting so that we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet.”

The Shetland sees Syria vigil from 12-1pm on Saturday 12 September will coincide similar vigils being held across Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Orkney.

SIC convener Malcolm Bell said the council was ready to do what it could to provide help and support to the refugees.

“The heartbreaking images we saw earlier this week have obviously focussed everyone’s attention sharply on this unfolding humanitarian crisis,” he said.

“Shetland Islands Council is ready to work with the Scottish and UK governments to do all we can.

“We await the outcome of the first minister’s summit meeting and the prime minister’s announcement on the issue later today.”

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Categories
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.