Two scooters have been delivered to frontline social work staff in Kharkiv, Ukraine following a fundraising drive by trade unionists in Scotland.

UNISON activist and USCS member Colin Turbett launched an online crowdfunding campaign after returning from a solidarity visit to Kharkiv in the summer, during which he met with representatives from Ukrainian trade unions, community organisations and social work agencies.

The scooters, bought in Ukraine with the funds raised in Scotland, have been delivered to social work staff in Izyum – not far from the frontline in eastern Ukraine – and Krasnograd.

Social work teams in the region were previously relying on bicycles to provide support to vulnerable people amid Russia’s invasion.

The fundraiser was backed by UNISON Scotland members and the social work community in Scotland more broadly. The funds were sent to the Ukrainian social workers’ union, which purchased and delivered the scooters.

Turbett, who plans to organise further fundraisers, said: “As the pressure mounts for a land for peace deal over the heads of ordinary Ukrainians, our friends in the trade unions there need these gestures of solidarity more than ever. Now is the time to build these links.”

The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU) welcomed the donation in the latest edition of its newspaper.