More than £75,000 raised by St Andrews University Ukraine appeal

An appeal to help St Andrews University students directly affected by the war in Ukraine has raised more than £75,000.

The University's Ukraine Hardship Appeal was launched this week.

Money raised will support more than 100 students from the regions affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with most of them are in St Andrews at the moment, while a small number remain in Ukraine and Russia.

The war has created uncertain futures, separated families, cut off access to funding and living expenses and caused a major rise in stress and mental health pressures, with concerns that if the conflict continues, some of the St Andrews community may not be able to return home to Ukraine or Russia at the end of the semester.

Aiming to provide peace of mind, the Hardship Appeal aims to keep St Andrews a safe and supportive haven for anyone who is directly affected by the war.

Principal Professor Sally Mapstone FRSE, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor at St Andrews University, issued an update to all students and staff this week.

More than two weeks ago, Russia's invasion of Ukraine started, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying that it was a "special military operation", but the war has been condemned worldwide, including in Scotland and across the rest of the UK.

Robert Fleming, Director of Development at St Andrews University, said: "We’re watching these terrible events unfold on our TV screens and I imagine a lot of us have been feeling utterly powerless, as I have.

"I know that I and others have been following Professor Phillips O’Brien [on Twitter] and colleagues in the School of International Relations closely as they provide expert comment and analysis on the war, a reminder that the independent academic voice has never been more important.

"The other way that St Andrews is showing that it can make a difference is in the generosity of colleagues, the parents of our students, and our wider family of alumni.

"Many of my team gave to the appeal when it launched, but they’ve been particularly moved by the warmth and speed of response from parents.

"We’ve been inundated with messages of support and promises of further help."