A EVENING of Solidarity in Leamington brought together local leaders, diplomats, charities, and residents in support of Ukraine.
Among the guests were vice lord-lieutenant of Warwickshire Pal Singh Sanghera, deputy lieutenant of Warwickshire Simon Miesegaes, Leamington mayor Coun Ruggy Singh, MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western MP, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Ukraine Eduard Fesko, and chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland Jerzy Boczkowski.
A central focus of the event was the recognition of the £13,500 raised through community donations, dedicated to the purchase, preparation, and delivery of ambulances for Ukraine. These vehicles will be used for emergency response and medical evacuation, providing vital, life-saving support. In addition, £1,000 in cash donations was collected during the event itself.
Mr Boczkowski said: “Poland has stood by Ukraine since the very first days of Russia’s aggression. It is inspiring to see how initiatives of the local Polish community in Leamington continue this mission, and how much they engage the wider British public in support of Ukraine as well.”
Mr Fesko added: “Support like this has a direct impact on the ground. Ambulances save lives every day in Ukraine, often in the most difficult conditions. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their generosity and commitment. This kind of help makes a real difference and shows that Ukraine is not standing alone.”
The programme also included a screening of Many Cultures, One Town, a documentary by local filmmaker Mark Ellis, exploring post-war migration to Leamington after 1945 and how communities rebuilt their lives through cooperation and shared experience.
A presentation by William Grow, an American volunteer on the frontline in Ukraine, provided further insight into the ongoing needs and the importance of community support.
The event was organised by Belveder CIC, in partnership with LKQ Euro Car Parts, and supported by The Event Business.
