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18th January 2006

Hibs fans helping Ukranian orphans

It may be almost a month since we celebrated Christmas, but two Scottish football fans are determined to bring some belated festive cheer to an orphanage in Ukraine. Hibernian supporters Stevie Carr and Colin Dudgeon were shocked at the conditions that the youngsters were living in, when they visited the country last year. Now, they are preparing to return to Ukraine, with clothes, toys and sports equipment

Last September over 1,000 Hibs supporters followed their team to the Ukraine city of Dnipropetrovsk.  Tony Mowbray's team lost 5-1, but the trip turned out to be about more than just football for many HiBees.  Stevie Carr and Colin Dudgeon had discovered that many children living in the City's orphanage were going without even basic necessities and so decided to help out, by taking warm clothes, toys and even medical supplies to the youngsters.  Now they are returning to the country, with more of the same.

Stevie Carr said:" The reaction from the Hibs supporters was absolutely tremendous in terms of the amount of money and clothes which they donated. The reaction from the children in Dnipro was really quite humbling.  They were over the moon with everything they got."

Colin Dudgeon said: "A few of us that were in the Orphanage that day took a wee step outside just to pull themselves together - it was a very emotional time and we're just delighted we can help these kids in terms of the circumstances they find themselves in."

To most Scots, items like clothes and toys would be considered basic essentials. For the kids in Ukraine, they are luxuries and charities working with the children in Dnipropetrovsk say the generosity of Stevie, Colin and many other Hibs supporters is having a huge impact.

Having registered as an official charity, and started Russian language classes, Colin and Stevie are planning to make helping the orphans a long term commitment.

Source: Scotland Today