A Moray minister is travelling to Greece to help refugees fleeing to Europe.
Rev Shuna Dicks will be on the Mediterranean island Chios for a week to do her bit for those who have been forced to flee their homes.
The Aberlour minister has been involved in supporting refugees for more than six years, but the trip will be her first taste of humanitarian work.
Staying at home is simply not an option for Rev Dicks, who was instrumental in establishing the group Moray Supports Refugees.
She said: “They are people, just like everyone else. They have left fairly comfortable and professional backgrounds out of desperation.
“Sadly a lot of them are ending up in situations no better than what they have left behind but their homes do not exist anymore.”
While in Greece, Rev Dicks will be helping the Norwegian Refugee Council with their relief efforts.
During her week on Chios the work could range from welcoming refugees arriving on boats or handing out dry clothes and food.
Rev Dicks said: “I don’t really know what I’m going to be doing. I’ve never done this kind of thing before so I’m expecting it to challenge me and I might find it tough.
“I don’t know how I’m going to feel while I’m there but I want to do something to help. It’s alright for us sitting here in our nice comfy houses. I’ll get a different understanding on the ground.”
Rev Dicks’s trip has been encouraged by the Church of Scotland as a study break. After the trip to Greece the minister intends to reflect on the experience before writing about it.
Before leaving next week, she will be presenting a talk at Moray College on Monday to give an update on the work Moray Supports Refugees is doing.
Through her work as a minister, Rev Dicks has already seen the contribution the refugees that have arrived in Moray have made.
She said: “They are here as new Scots now. They are here to stay. The ones that I have spoken to are quite keen to make a contribution. We have to respect the risks they took to come here and help then on their way.”
