Cathedral vigil this afternoon

A silent vigil is taking place outside St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, this afternoon as a show of solidarity and support for those caught up in the biggest refugee crisis since World War Two.

The vigil, from noon until 1pm, has been organised by Stromness women Sarah MacGregor and Euphemia Matheson.

It will also, according to Ms MacGregor, allow Orkney folk to show support and donate money to two charities — CalAid, which is delivering aid to the refugee camp in Calais, and Migrant Offshore Aid Station, an organisation trying to help prevent deaths at sea.

The vigil has already attracted a response from over 200 islanders via the Facebook Event page — Orkney Sees Syria — and according to Ms MacGregor a “massive” concerted effort to deliver aid items to the refugee camp in Calais was organised within days of announcing the event.

She explained: “The Orkney support so far has been absolutely brilliant.

“There have been so many people wanting to help, every time I come home from work there are more messages from people offering to drive stuff or pick stuff up, and there has been people dropping stuff off at my house and my friends’ as well.

“The generosity of so many ordinary people of Orkney and beyond has been truly inspiring.”

In response to the crisis, several local companies have given offers of help, including Littlejohn Removals and Orkney Builders, who both have offered to deliver donated aid to the CalAid charity.

Orkney Alcohol Councilling & Advisory Service and Voluntary Action Orkney have put forward to be collection points for aid.

Ms MacGregor added: “Everyone is very welcome to come along to the cathedral on Saturday for the vigil or can get in touch if they wish to help in some way.

“Also if anyone has any further ideas, we have another Facebook group page — Orkney supporting refugees — which we hope will be ongoing after the event on Saturday.