BCP Ukraine Relief supports the hundreds of thousands of suffering people who have been forced to leave their homes and belongings to flee the war and reach Poland for safety.
We have a fantastic Polish community across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), who launched this campaign to support the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Poland is Ukraine’s direct neighbour and already over half a million refugees have fled across the Polish / Ukraine boarder. Every indication is that this wave of refugees is going to continue and significant help is needed urgently. Millions of people could potentially be displaced.
Karol Swiacki, along with volunteers from many nationalities, has worked fast to start raising both funds and donations of items required by refugees, such as toiletries, medical equipment, food, clothing, blankets and more.
Castlepoint shopping centre in Bournemouth has stepped in to provide a warehouse facility for the collection, organisation and distribution of goods. Local businesses have provided donation points, vans, technical, fund raising and other support. The immediate response has been astounding and humbling to witness.
Because of Karol’s extensive connections with various cities, towns and charities on the border he is receiving direct requests for urgent aid. Keeping communications open he is receiving constant updates on what and where to send supplies and support. By packaging and labelling items in Polish here in the UK, they can be quickly sent directly to where they are needed.
Over 200 pallets have already been prepared and shipping will begin imminently. Many lorries deliver products to the UK each day and we are trying to utilise these lorries, that often return empty to Poland, to pick up pallets from Castlepoint and take them back to Poland, cutting down costs, time and bureaucracy.
For any further information or questions, please get in touch directly via the Facebook page.
For all volunteer registrations, please visit: https://timecounts.org/bournemouth and register to help.