Ukraine's curling teams swept away by kindness of Perth and Kinross people

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Ukraine's curling teams have been given a warm welcome in Perth and Kinross.The teams are due to compete in the European Curling Championships 2023 in Scotland later this month.After a few visa complications all ten players are now settling into life in Perth and Kinross as they train for the event.The competition will take place in Dumfries from April 28 to May 6.The athletes - who are now staying in Kinross, Perth and Scone - used to train in Kyiv until the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They have since taken part in a number of tournaments across Europe but returned to their families in Ukraine following the World Junior-B Curling Championships in Finland in December.The Ukrainian Curling Federation was keen for the players to be brought to Scotland together as a team.Nataliia Menzeha secretary executive of the Ukrainian Curling Federation was already staying in the Perth and Kinross area as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.She explained: "We asked Pete Wishart if he could help us be together as a team."Homes For Ukraine applicants are advised not to book travel until after they receive their visa.

However, the male athletes needed a special order from the Ukrainian Government's Ministry of Sport in order to leave Ukraine and had to provide evidence of this in the form of a travel itinerary.

This meant having to book their travel before they had their visas.She approached Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart for help on March 7 with the athletes due to arrive in Scotland on March 22.The MP's office contacted the Home Office to explain this situation and asked for all of the applicants to be fast-tracked - given the circumstances - to ensure they made their flight.As March 22 approached the majority had still