THE WORK of the Polish Centre to support the war effort in war-torn Ukraine was marked by being awarded the Mayoral Award by Leamington mayor Nick Wilkins, writes David Harrop
The Polish Centre through its charity, Aid for Ukraine, has supported not only the people and hospitals of Ukraine, but also the war orphans now living in a monastery in central Ukraine run by the Sisters of St Joseph. Aid for Ukraine has raised over £120,000 in the last year to fund eight fully equipped ambulances to assist the hospitals caring for the victims of the Russian invasion. Previously these hospitals only had 50 year-old ambulances to ferry their injured and dying.
The Ukraine Appeal shop in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre has been running since before Christmas with all profits from the sales of its goods going towards the ongoing appeal to buy ambulances. The shop brings together volunteers from all cultures and nationalities supporting Aid for Ukraine. They hope to provide two further ambulances to Ukraine hospitals for 2023 and the charity is now on its way to this fundraising target of £11,000.
Other achievements include the Secret Santa campaign at Christmas which supplied presents to all the war orphans housed in the monastery and a recent Easter egg appeal, which brought Easter eggs and smiles to those children who no longer have parents or family to care for them.
To receive the Mayoral Award is a great honour and tribute to the work of the Polish Centre and Aid for Ukraine and includes the work of local volunteers, companies and organisations that are supporting their tremendous work.
On May 21, at the 9th Polish History Conference being held in The Royal Pump Rooms, two of the sisters from the monastery are coming over from Ukraine to talk about current conditions there and their work with the war orphans. Entry is free.
The need is constant and as the war takes its toll the need increases every day. You can view the wonderful humanitarian contributions The Polish Centre are bringing to Ukraine as they are regularly updated on it’s Facebook page
There is also an online fundraising page to buy ambulances which can be visited here
