UNISON Branch Secretary Stephen Smellie recently visited the city of Kharkiv as part of a UNISON delegation to Ukraine.

He took with him a letter from Provost Cooper to the Mayor of Kharkiv, sending a message of solidarity and friendship.

When in Kharkiv, Stephen and his colleagues met with Deputy Mayor Oleksander Novak and presented him with the letter from Provost Cooper, which he was delighted to receive.

Due to its resistance of the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s President Zelensky awarded the Kharkiv Hero City status. Deputy Mayor Novak presented Stephen with a replica of the Hero City medal to deliver to Provost Cooper as a symbol of thanks and friendship.

Provost Cooper said: “When Stephen let me know about the visit, the least I could do was to let the people of Ukraine know they are in our thoughts and prayers, and we will support them in any way we can.

“I was delighted to accept a replica of the Hero City medal on behalf of the council and I salute the bravery of the Ukrainian people as they continue to deal with the horrific nature of the war.”

Stephen said: “The Deputy Mayor was very appreciative that we had visited the city that still experiences daily missile and drone attacks causing deaths of the civilians and damage to the power supplies to the city.

“He was delighted to receive the letter from South Lanarkshire Council’s Provost and asked me to relay his thanks back, along with the Hero City medal, as a symbol of friendship and with the hope that that friendship can be built upon in the difficult weeks and months ahead.”

Continuing the link with Kharkiv, the UNISON branches in South Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire, with the support of Provost Cooper and the council, are raising funds to transport gym equipment to the Aquarena Sports Centre in Kharkiv where it will be used to support the rehabilitation of children wounded in the air raids on the city.

A Crowdfunder appeal has been set up for donations to assist with this project.