A Dundee refugee charity created in response to the ongoing Mediterranean migration crisis is celebrating after securing a new 94,000 square foot home.
Dundee Refugee Support (DRS) was set up last autumn to provide respite to refugees stranded throughout Europe.
Such was the rapid success of the charity, they soon outgrew their Swan House home and had to draft in three large containers to store excess goods.
Now, the charity is celebrating after being handed the keys to a storage facility formerly used by Levi’s.
The Dunsinane Avenue HQ will allow DRS to keep multiple tonnes worth of aid but also allows them to invite and host other local charitable groups.
They hope to use their new HQ as a “hub” for charities throughout Dundee.
Group member Mike Strachan revealed: “It’s overwhelming.
“I don’t think any of us thought in our wildest dreams that we would be standing here in a 94,000 square foot room.
“The idea is to try to find charities who are looking for space, zone off areas, and let them have the space. They would only have to really pay for our overheads.
“We can now have a whole are for things like push-chairs, for men’s clothes, for nappies, rather than just have a whole load of stuff.
“We started off as a collection point in the Charleston Bar and it’s all snowballed from there. It’s just got bigger and bigger.”
Due to their success the group has recently launched an official city-wide charitable initiative, Dundee the Caring City.
The scheme will attempt to help people struggling with poverty closer to home.
Health Secretary and Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison praised Mike and his colleagues for their work so far.
She said: “They’ve taken on a really ambitious project.
“Some of the best ideas grow from small acorns and I know some of the most vulnerable in the community are being helped by this organisation.
“People that have given up their time to volunteer should be supported and I’m delighted to be able to support Dundee Refugee Support.”
Joe FitzPatrick MSP added: “This is a fantastic facility.
“Dundee has clearly got a huge heart to have such a big organisation here and my message would be for people to keep donating.
“The guys have done a great job. Without these people, who are giving up huge amounts of their own time, we would not be where we are.”
Any charities wishing to work alongside DRS should visit www.dundeethecaringcity.co.uk.
