TWO ambulances stopped off outside Leamington Town Hall ahead of a long journey to Ukraine.
They were purchased by town’s The Polish Centre – which continues to help Ukrainians in their war-ravaged country – from donations given by Euro Car Parts and The Churches of Arden, writes David Harrop.
The Polish Centre had purchased the ambulances at a cost of £19,700 and was supported at the town hall event by volunteers from the Together Community Support in Nuneaton.
Among those who attened was Leamington mayor Nick Wilkins, Polish Centre chair Dr Stanislaw Librowski, Warwick district councillor Jan Matecki, Revd Alison Hampton, Priest in Charge of The Churches of Arden Group and Father Wladyslaw Liptak, a parish priest from Polish Church.
People got a chance to see inside a fully equipped ambulance and could also also buy handmade cakes made by Ukrainian refugees, handcrafted gin and beers from The Warwickshire Gin Company and beers from Windmill Hill Brewing Company respectively.
A selection of Leamington Spa mugs were also on sale, and many items made by volunteers from Together Community Support in Nuneaton.
Some £1,500 was raised for The Polish Centre’s ‘Aid for Ukraine’ appeal.
The Polish Centre will soon be offering a limited edition of gins and beers sporting the “Belveder Aid for Ukraine” logo – Belveder is a new local brand, and all profits will be donated to ‘Aid for Ukraine.’ They will become available once the ‘Aid for Ukraine’ shop opens (date to be confirmed) in The Royal Priors which has donated a unit. The shop will enable people to purchase gin, beers and many other items. It is hoped with the Christmas season approaching, it will attract great interest with a range of completely original Ukrainian and Polish gift ideas.
Dawid Kowloski, who heads up ‘Aid for Ukraine’ at The Polish Centre, thanked LKQ Euro Car Parts who provided full support for the trip to Poland and funded both travel and accommodation costs. It means 100 per cent of the fundraising has gone and will go to where needed the most – the people and children of Ukraine.
At 5am the following morning after the event, Dawid and three of his colleagues from Euro Car Parts drove the ambulances to serve hospitals in Shepitivka and Szarogrod.
The Polish Centre thanked Warwick District Council and Leamington Town Council which supported the event. Also everyone who volunteered for the day and the generosity of the Leamington public for their donations an support.
