BRAVE troops defending Ukraine on the frontlines could soon have a taste of Scotland, thanks to an upcoming Burns Night event in Dollar.

Café Ukraine, the pop-up initiative by resident Alan Smart which proved beyond popular last December on St Andrew's Day, is set to host a celebration of Robert Burns on Wednesday, January 25.

All are welcome to head along to the pop-up café, hosted by Alan in his own home under 12 Bridge Street in the town, between 10am and 4pm on the day.

Celebrating Burns not just as Scotland's national poet, but as someone of international renown, the event will be raising funds to send supplies of tinned haggis to the freezing trenches.

The unique and multicultural idea comes from a Ukrainian Baptist minister from Kiev, who recently settled in Dollar and whose brother serves in the army.

Following a successful event in December, Alan said: “The initiative is to be repeated on Scotland's other national day where we celebrate Robbie Burns' international outlook and especially his famous poem A Man’s A Man For A’ That with its final line:

“That Man to Man, the world o’er, / Shall brothers be for a’ that.”

As previously reported in the Advertiser, Dollar is fast becoming the Wee County's “Little Ukraine” and those who have arrived in the town and beyond have warmed to the idea.

Alan said: “All money raised on the day is going towards sending supplies of haggis in tins to frontline troops in Ukraine as a gift from Dollar and a gift from Clackmannanshire in Scotland.”

Much like the St Andrew's Day event, the café will be open for one day only with proceedings to be kicked off by a Dollar Academy piper.

“The entire Dollar community is rallying round with assistance from the local church, the local community council, community trust and loads of well-intentioned individuals many of whom have direct contact and experience of working in the Ukraine or with Ukrainians over the decades,” Alan added.

Since the St Andrew's Day event, Alan's home has also become a drop-off point for donations going out to Ukraine, taking over from The Hive in partnership with those behind the collections in Alloa.

The initiative is also building a website for those interested, keep an eye out at cafeukraine.net.