Donations of Emergency Supplies Leave Swindon for Poland to Help Those Fleeing War in Ukraine

Thanks to the work of volunteers, local businesses and the Polish community of Swindon, a lorry containing vital supplies for those fleeing conflict in Ukraine, began its long journey today.

Supply chain specialists OPX, based in Faraday Road, Dorcan, donated the lorry which set off loaded with supplies gathered by people from all across Swindon. The truck will travel overnight into Europe and will head for the Polish border towards Ukraine where they will link up with charities working on the ground. 

Basil Solomon was there today to support the efforts to load and prepare the lorry. He said seeing the truck has been the culmination of so much work by volunteers, particularly in the Polish community including Marchin Hawrylo, Dorota Seweryn and many others. 

He said: “We have been very open and transparent about the donations given and where they are going. There have been concerns around this generally in the UK, so we’re able to track where these items are going and where they will be handed over and to which organisations. This way the people of Swindon know the support is getting to those who really need it.”

Basil has also worked with businessman Don Bryden, who runs KCJ Training & Employment Services as well as a charity BEST which supports young people at risk. Don worked with the team at OPX to find a lorry to transport the goods collected. 

“This is very emotional for me and for all of us to see this come together. Basil spoke to me and we’ve worked with the team at OPX to make this a reality. It was a challenge to even get the truck ready. The cab was 1.4 inches too high and did not conform to EU regulations (as with many UK trucks) and it would have hit the first bridge it came to! The team at OPX sorted this out so that it’s now able to begin its journey.”

One of the truck drivers will be Pawel Pozniak who lives with his family in Royal Wootton Bassett. Originally from Poland, Pawel volunteered to do the trip for free. He’s lived in Wiltshire for 12 years.

“I offered my time for free as I wanted to do something to help. I come from Poland, my parents still live in Gdansk and this is personal for me. Who knows what could happen next? Next year it could be us, it could be my parents need help. For me this affects Poland and it affects my family and I look at the children and my heart breaks. I have three children myself.

“My grandparents fought with the British Army in World War Two as allies so there’s history there. I want to do this.”

The company behind the truck is supply chain specialist OPX. A new company which has only recently opened its premises in Dorcan, it’s run by founder Lee Hallett and operations director Ryan Gower and they wanted to help. 

Ryan said: “We’re proud to help with this humanitarian effort and we’re thrilled to support these volunteers and help our community make even a small difference.”

One of the youngest volunteers who came to see the lorry was seven-year-old Marshall Bruce of Blunsdon. A pupil of St Leonard’s Primary Academy of Blunsdon, he was so moved by the plight of children fleeing war, he wanted to take action. He saved his pocket money and asked relatives for support. He collected £55. 

Dad Bruce said: “He just wanted to use his pocket money to help others, we went to Asda with him where he bought nappies, dog food, toys and a teddy.”

Marshall also enclosed a card to the children of Ukraine to let them know he was thinking of them.

“I saw all about it on the internet, and it made me feel really bad, as they have not done anything wrong,” Marshall said.