NUNS from Ukraine who care for victims of the war have personally thanked those who have supported them during a visit to Warwickshire.
Sister Justyniana and Sister Tobiasza are members of the Congregation of St Joseph which looks after the injured, elderly, women and children, homeless and war orphans at a monastery in central Ukraine.
The Polish Centre in Leamington, through its charity Aid for Ukraine, has £120,000 since the Russian invasion, which has helped support the work of the sisters and also fund eight fully equipped ambulances for hospitals in Ukraine.
Sister Justyniana and Sister Tobiasza were welcomed to Warwickshire as guests of The Polish Centre.
During their stay they were also presented with £5,000 by Tamworth-based LKQ Euro Car Parts.
Sister Tobiasza, speaking at the recent Polish History Conference in Leamington, said: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity in these difficult times for the war-torn Ukraine. I speak for myself, but also for my religious order, the Sisters of St Joseph. Most of all though, I want to convey to you the gratitude of those who have received your help.
“This evidence of solidarity with the suffering of the Ukrainian nation now afflicted by war, strengthens our spirit, restores hope, and convinces us that we are not alone, as we struggle with the tragic consequences of the war.
“We thank you for the food, clothing, toiletries, first aid kits, electricity generators, torches, batteries and all the other essentials needed by the military and the civilian population. We thank you for the ambulances, that are so essential to save human lives.
“Thanks to your empathetic response, evidenced by various initiatives, many Ukrainian children were able to experience something of the joys of Christmas and Easter and Summer Camp, in spite of the war.
“The presents the children received brought them great happiness, and enabled them, if only for a moment, to forget their everyday reality of fear and uncertainty.
“I’m unable to list every example of your kindness, although our sisters were often the intermediaries who distributed your aid, but I do know that this aid has been generous, diverse in nature and very much needed.”
During their visit the sisters also had the chance for a spot of sightseeing, visiting Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
Visit www.facebook.com/PolishcentreLeamington for further information.
