Ukrainian mum thanks Scots for warm reception after fleeing war in her homeland

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Ukrainian refugee has told of the warm reception she has received in Edinburgh after fleeing the war in her homeland. Maryna Ivanova and her two twin daughters escaped the eastern city of Kharkiv and arrived in Edinburgh on April 24, 2022- finding solace at a local leisure centre, Edinburgh Live reports.This week marks the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.Receiving the pass as part of the Relocated People Access Programme (RPAP), Maryna said: "I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us.

I believe that this has been pivotal in preventing me from succumbing to depression.”She wrote to Edinburgh Leisure and said: "Over the past one and a half years, my family and I have been recipients of the privileges granted by Edinburgh Leisure, and I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us."Before the war, both my children, my husband, and I were regular attendees at a sports complex in Kharkiv, engaging in various sports activities almost daily.“When the war forced us to flee to Scotland, seeking refuge and safety for our children, the initial weeks and even months were filled with a sense of disorientation.

Everything was new and unfamiliar, there was a lack of employment opportunities, and the overall situation was both challenging and frightening, especially considering my pregnancy.

It was at this critical juncture that we received our Edinburgh Leisure membership card.“We immediately utilised the facilities, heading to the gym and swimming pools.