Royal Leamington Spa Mayor, Councillor Judith Clarke with driver Steve Clarke and driver Charles Rodgers. Dawid Kozlowski from Leamington Spa’s Polish Centre and driver Paul Elsden.
Published 27 Minutes Ago
The Polish community of a Warwickshire village is leading the way in delivering humanitarian assistance from the county to those living in Ukraine.
Royal Leamington Spa was the starting point for Monday’s decomissioned Ambulance, which was full of aid for victims of the Russia/Ukraine War.
Since the beginning of the conflict, more than forty vehicles have made a three-day journey to Lezajsk, on the Poland/Ukraine frontier, with 250 tonnes in aid so far.
The cost of each ambulance is between PS7,000 and PS8,000, plus the cost for sorting the vehicles before they are transported across Europe.
One of the donated ambulances has been used to train Ukrainian military medics
Dawid Kozlowski from Royal Leamington Spa’s Polish Centre said: “We’re very proud of what has been achieved for such a tiny organisation and it speaks volumes about our community.”
Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, has been on two recent trips. Mr Kozlowski is employed by LKQ Euro Car Parts which has provided significant financial support for the aid missions.
The Leamington group even delivered six washing machine to a group supporting displaced people.
“It is not something you would think about, but they have these problems,” said Mr Kozlowski.
“We are seeing more and more members of the community wanting to be involved. We have said since day one that this is not a Polish-only project.
“It’s wonderful to see that most of our volunteers now aren’t Polish.”
In April, three old ambulances were delivered in Ukraine
The latest trip is also delivering mobility aids to Ukraine, for soldiers who have lost their limbs.
Leamington also funded the eye surgery of a 14-year old boy.
“When we were arranging for ambulance number one to enter Ukraine, we arranged that Ignit’s mum come through the border to meet us,” said M Kozlowski.
“He came to say ‘thanks for giving me a new life’. You realise that a single individual can make a huge difference in another person’s lives.”
Easter eggs from Royal Leamington Spa made their way to orphaned children and displaced people in central Ukraine
Judith Clarke, the mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, attended a Polish Centre event earlier this year. She said that she was “so impressed” with what they were doing.
“I was incredibly humbled to meet these people,” said the woman.
She spoke to her husband Steve about the event, and he decided to sign-up as a driver this week for the trip with his lifelong friends Kaz Librowski whose parents are Polish and another friend Paul Elsden.
“I am very proud of Steve for taking on this challenge to help people in Ukraine,” said she.
“Many people in Leamington have taken in Ukrainian refugees. That was a sign that we are a wonderful community and people all over Warwickshire are helping.”
Three ambulances from Royal Leamington Spa are ready to cross into Ukraine after traveling through France, Holland, Germany, and Poland
The mayor’s consort continued: “I have known about this operation for a long time now. Judith attended the event at the Polish Centre and told me about it. I thought ‘I would like to do that someday’.
“I am motivated by anything to stop Putin. I don’t believe we can allow a successful armed invasion.
“All that is needed for evil to win is for good people not to act, so at least we’re doing something.”
“It’s a great help and I know the Ukrainians will appreciate it.”
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