Barry response to Ukraine appeal leaves organisers speechless

Glamorgan Star news 17/03/2022

2 minutes read

Response to appeal leaves organisers speechless.

Barry response to Ukraine appeal leaves organisers speechless

When Barbara Sliwinska and Magdalena Kwiatkowska decided to do something small to help people suffering in Ukraine, the most they were expecting was for friends and fellow worshippers at St Helen’s RC Church in Barry to donate clothes and food.

But as news of their efforts quickly spread, they became inundated with parcels from all sections of the community.

Within days, they were forced to ask their neighbours to store the parcels in their homes and garages, and when they too became full, they turned to Canon Pat O’Gorman for help, who allowed St Helen’s Church hall to be used for storage.

Barbara Sliwinska (left) and Magdalena Kwiatkowska with Canon Pat O’Gorman.

The donations kept coming, and only a few days later the church hall was also full to capacity, with 220 boxes of equipment ready to be sent to Ukraine.

Items received include children’s clothing, dried foods, paracetamol, ibuprofen, bandages, sleeping bags, thermal socks and hats.

St Helen’s Church hall rapidly filled up.

Barbara and Magdalena, who are originally from Poland, decided they wanted to do something small to help the people of Ukraine after seeing distressing news reports from the conflict.

Barbara said: “I cannot find the words to describe how wonderful people have been.

“My two neighbours allowed me to use their houses and garages because there was no space in my house, and I’m so grateful to them, but even they became full up within a few days.”

Cars were arriving filled with donations.

Barbara’s family lives just 10 miles from the border with Ukraine, and she is receiving daily updates from relatives as the conflict develops: “My family and friends in Poland are passing on messages about how bad things really are. It goes beyond what we see on our televisions or read on the internet.

“I decided I just needed to do something, and my friend Magdalena was happy to help. I couldn’t do it all by myself as I have a job and three young children, but the teachers at St Helen’s Primary School have been really supportive,” she said.

The huge number of parcels are due to be delivered to Ukraine this week via charity workers in Newport and Barbara’s connections to charities in Poland, though with the situation changing rapidly, arranging the logistics is proving difficult.

Barbara says that the overwhelming response from the Barry community has lifted her spirits after she became upset by news reports: “I was watching the news and I was thinking the world is getting crazy, but the last couple of days have cheered me up and given me hope for our future.

“It’s not just the adults, young children have been wanting to help out by carrying the bags and sorting through the packages. It’s wonderful,” she said.

Barbara expressed her thanks to Canon O’Gorman, parish administrator Kirsty Vater and the wider St Helen’s RC church and school community, Gwenfo Church in Wales Primary School, Rhoose Community Centre, Rhoose Social Club and the 5th Barry Sea Scout Group, along with all the individuals who have made generous donations.

With the public response having massively exceeded expectations, organisers are politely asking that people wishing to donate parcels please hold on to them for the time being while they assess how best to proceed in the weeks ahead.