Donations pour in for Ukraine as Southampton sends aid

One van load of essential items left the city this weekend after the Polish Social Club in Portswood Road saw a huge response to a plea for help.

Yesterday a stream of families turned out to donate even more as volunteers rapidly sorted and packed them up.

Wioletta Nowakowska, club chairperson, was overwhelmed by tears as she told the Echo how people rose to the call.

She said: “The collection is brilliant – my heart is really big.

“I want to say a big, big thank you for the help – for every donation."

• READ MORE: Southampton man and his wife stuck in Ukraine waiting for visa

She fears the conflict could spread from Ukraine's borders, and added: “This week we are collecting for Ukraine but maybe next week we are collecting for Poland.”

Many in Southampton’s Polish community have turned to help neighbouring Ukraine.

Krzysztof Suwalski, 45, was with his wife Barbara Suwalska, 40, and their children Anthony, six, and Julia, two, donating goods.

He said: "We're just trying to do something to help. It's terrible what's happening out there. I would love to do more but from here there's not much we can do.

"(The donations) are great - it shows to the world that people really care about it. 

"I grew up in communist times - I remember the propaganda and the lies, and the freedom they could lose.

Krzysztof Suwalski, 45, was with his wife Barbara Suwalska, 40, and their children Anthony, six, and Julia, two, donating goods at the Polish Social Club.

'We were fighting for freedom for so many years to break the communist chains and we know what it's like.

"It's really breaking my heart.

"I can't even imagine what they're going through, living a normal life and the next week they've got bombs coming hitting their homes.

Volunteers spent the weekend sorting through donations and a larger lorry is due to leave for Europe this week.

Paulina Kozlowska runs Sea Life Play Centre in Marlands Shopping Centre, Southampton, and is helping take in donations.

Paulina, whose brother lives in Poland, said: “I think we all feel pretty helpless at the moment and that’s the most we can do from this distance.”

She added: “There’s lots of evil going on but also lots of good going on - and it’s pretty heartwarming, especially as Ukraine and Poland have a difficult history and there was always quite a bit of hatred between the two countries.

“But with this happening, we have to look at each other as human beings, not nationalities.”

Donations at the Polish Social Club

The collection was only meant to be “something small” but “it’s growing so quickly,” Paulina said.

“We will keep it going for as long as possible. We’re in this for the long term.”

Supplies – mainly for women, children and the elderly - will be taken to the border with Ukraine.

Items needed vary but include nappies, wet wipes, baby milk, long-life foods, sanitary towels, tampons, pet food, warm blankets, sleeping bags, gloves, and hand warmers.

Cash donations have also poured in. More can be dropped off at:

:: Polish Social Club, Portswood Road. Days and times vary but are listed on its Facebook page.

:: MLJ Auto Center, Floating Bridge Road. Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.

:: Sea Life Play Centre, First Floor Marlands Shopping Centre in Civic Centre Road. Monday-Saturday from 9am-7pm. Sunday 10am-7pm.

:: The Cricketers Arm pub in Portsmouth Road, Woolston.

:: Co-op in Spring Road.

Donate cash at siepomaga.pl/southamptondlaukrainy