‘£100 donation could really help a lot’
GUERNSEY businesses should follow Poland in its generosity of support to Ukraine, said a Polish construction company manager living in the island.
Guernsey Building Renovations manager Helena Filipczac has family living near to the border of Ukraine and has been in contact with them regularly throughout the conflict.
‘A lot of companies in Guernsey have the power to pay more money. People really want to help but they are confused how,’ she said.
As a company manager, she hoped that promoting the need for donations will prompt other businesses to follow in her footsteps.
‘Guernsey people could donate £100 and it’s not a big deal, but it could really help a lot.’
More than 500,000 people have crossed over Poland’s eastern border seeking aid and shelter.
‘They don’t know who they are taking in, and people there are scared of the war as well. It’s a poor country but they are still sharing what they’ve got,’ said Mrs Filipczac.
It has been predicted that the country could be on track to face Europe’s largest movement of people since the Second World War.
Donation drives requesting various goods, including clothes and toiletries, have been cropping up all over the world, but Mrs Filipczac said that sending money was the best way to help.
‘The problem is transporting all of this stuff. At the moment people are donating a lot of stuff but what they need is medicine and weapons that are necessary to help – I think the best thing is to send money.’
She has been added to a messenger group with a number of Ukrainians living in Guernsey, who are developing a crowd-funding campaign which will allow islanders to donate online. She said it will be up and running as soon as possible and that businesses should use the tools they have to help anyone affected by the Russian invasion.
‘It’s an easier and faster way to help,’ said Mrs Filipczac.
