Warwick Rotary Club presented it’s Meritorious Award to the Leamington Polish Centre on Wednesday February 8th, recognising their achievement providing relief to the people of Ukraine since the Russian invasion last year.
President Keith Talbot welcomed their leaders: Dr Stanislaw Librowski, Chairman, Dawid Kozlowski, Secretary, Izabella Topalinska, Treasurer, and Alex Willson a volunteer, to an open evening to celebrate their work. The President presented the award, and a cheque for £200, for their humanitarian efforts which have earned the admiration of the community.
The citation read by Rotarian Jackie Crampton said: “when the Russian invasion started the Polish centre immediately started an appeal for help and were inundated by generous donations. So much arrived they had to move to a warehouse in Harbury Lane, from where over 180 tons of medical supplies, household goods and food were taken directly overseas by road.
With the support of local companies – Jaguar Land Rover, Europarts (LKQ Euro Car Parts) and others, Dawid and their team have delivered to over 20 towns and cities across Ukraine; supported summer camps for Ukrainian children; and delivered about 1,000 individual Christmas presents from Santa. 8 vitally needed Ambulances have also been sent.”
Here in the UK the Polish centre has provided support for Ukrainians arriving in the country with Alex teaching English to those who need support. A shop has also been opened in The Priors, Leamington, where goods, including specialist vodka are sold to raise money. Warwick Rotary sent a surplus generator at Christmas to the nuns running an orphanage and has confirmed further funding for battery pack and converter to ensure the nursery can maintain power during power cuts.
Thanking the club for their support Dawid showed pictures of the damage done to neighbourhoods, some of the ambulances being unloaded at hospitals in Ukraine and the children opening their presents.
Responding Professor David Smith said that the Polish community in UK were held in high regard since the 2nd World War when many came to this country to carry on the fight. Their country finds itself again in the front line and has responded wonderfully to help Ukrainians. Rotarians across the UK and Europe are also working together to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
Concluding the evening Dr LIbrowski said that they still needed more resources, and sponsors, to support the victims of continued aggression.
If you want to help contact polishcentreleamongtonspa@gmail.com, visit their Facebook page or phone 07725 854629