A MASSIVE appeal to help the people of Ukraine has been launched in Redditch.
At its heart are efforts co-ordinated by the town’s Polish community to help refugees fleeing the Russian invasion and crossing the border into Poland.
“These people are refugees and have been left with absolutely nothing,” said organiser Kate Tuchowska-Zysk.
“The situation in Ukraine is really terrible and we are appealing for toiletries, toothpaste, nappies, sanitary towels, batteries, candles, over the counter medicines, and warm clothing – preferably new.
“We are also appealing for medical help to deal with injuries and burns – thermal blankets, bandages, disinfectants, disposable gloves, sterile bandages and scissors.”
The appeal has got off to a great start with many donations, including two pallets of goods from Batchley Support Group.
Poland share a 332 mile border with Ukraine, with the major city of Lviv just 43 miles away from Poland.
“We will arrange for it all to be transported over to Poland to increase supplies for people there helping the refugees as they escape from this dreadful attack.
“Although it is being co-ordinated by Redditch’s Polish community – and here I must pay tribute to Kamila Poczatek, Monika and Robert Kaźmierczak, Monika Sedlak, Robert S.Jankowski, Grzegorz Wasilewski and Lukasz Drobniewski – we are appealing to the people of all nations to help us.”
Redditch community champion Bill Hartnett said: “I was contacted by Kate and was more than happy to give my full support to their effort and I would encourage the people to five what they can so we can help the people fleeing the invasion of Ukraine.”
Donations can be left at Steam Detailing and Valeting, Unit 6, Phoenix Works, Windsor Road, Redditch B97 6DJ, phone number 07702114500
Kate would also like to hear from anyone who can help transport the goods.
POLAND has had more than its fair share of dealings with Russia.
In 1939 the country was partitioned after it was invaded by Nazi Germany from the West and Russia from the East.
During World War II Poland stood shoulder to shoulder with Britain against the Axis forces.
Following the end of the Second World War as part of the ‘Eastern Bloc’ it had a communist dictatorship imposed on it.
After decades of protest – which saw hundreds of people killed by the authorities – the community regime fell paving the way for the country’s first first full and fair democratic elections in 1991.
