Over £14k raised through local community donations to support ambulances for Ukraine
By Nadia Sayed 13th Feb 2026
A community event held in Leamington Spa brought together local leaders, diplomats, charities, and residents to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and highlight the impact of community-led action, raising over £14,000.
The Polish and Ukrainian flags flew proudly over the Town Hall of Royal Leamington Spa as a visible sign of support and solidarity
The "Evening of Solidarity" event, which was held on Friday 6 February, welcomed a variety of figures including: Pal Singh Sanghera, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Simon Miesegaes, Deputy Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Cllr Ruggy Singh, Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Matt Western MP for Warwick and Leamington, Eduard Fesko, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ukraine, Jerzy Boczkowski, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, His Honour Anthony Cleary OBE, and Dawid Kozlowski of Belveder CIC.
A central focus of the event was the recognition of £13,500 raised through community donations, dedicated to the purchase, preparation, and delivery of ambulances for Ukraine. These vehicles will be used for emergency response and medical evacuation, providing vital, life-saving support. In addition, £1,000 in cash donations was collected during the event itself.
Speaking at the event, Dawid Kozlowski of Belveder CIC said: "Every pound donated represents trust and solidarity. £14,500 raised by our community has helped turn goodwill into practical help — ambulances that will save lives. It truly means a great deal to us and, above all, to the people who will benefit directly from this support."
Belveder were also joined by other local civic leaders including Cllr Naveen Tangri, Chair of Warwick District Council, Cllr Jacqui D'Arcy, Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Christopher King, Deputy Leader of Warwick District Council, Cllr Ella Billiald, Cabinet Member for Warwick District Council, and Councillors Alan Boad, Sarah Boad, and Sidney Syson, representing the Town Councils, Warwick District Council, and Warwickshire County Council and Annick Jourdenais, LKQ Europe Senior Project Director
The presence of Eduard Fesko and Jerzy Boczkowski highlighted the strong diplomatic support behind community-led efforts. "Their attendance underlined the significance of the initiative and the tangible impact local communities can have in supporting Ukraine through practical aid. "
Beyond formal recognition, both diplomats engaged directly with attendees, demonstrating that solidarity extends from governments to grassroots action and showing their appreciation for the dedication and generosity of the local community.
Special recognition was given to the evening's benefactors:
- The Freemasons' Charity donated £2,000 on the night. This is not the first time they have supported this cause, with their total contribution now standing at £6,000 from a pledged £10,000.
- The Gursewak Trust donated £4,000 at the event, bringing their contribution to this effort so far to £14,000.
- BVS Gurdwara, Bedworth, contributed £7,500, who continued to set a strong example of generosity, engagement and community responsibility
Jerzy Boczkowski, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, commented: "Poland has stood by Ukraine since the very first days of Russia's aggression. It is inspiring to see how initiatives of the local Polish community in Leamington Spa continue this mission, and how much they engage the wider British public in support of Ukraine as well."
The programme also included a screening of Many Cultures, One Town, a documentary by local filmmaker Mark Ellis, exploring post-war migration to Leamington Spa after 1945 and how communities rebuilt their lives through cooperation and shared experience.
The organisers thanked the Leamington History Group for supporting the film through the provision of archive licensing.
Eduard Fesko, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ukraine further added: "Support like this has a direct impact on the ground. Ambulances save lives every day in Ukraine, often in the most difficult conditions. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their generosity and commitment. This kind of help makes a real difference and shows that Ukraine is not standing alone."
A presentation by William Grow, an American volunteer on the frontline in Ukraine, provided further insight into the ongoing needs and the importance of community support.
Matt Western MP noted: "This evening showed what true community spirit looks like. There are many voices that try to divide us, to set communities and people against one another, yet here in Leamington Spa, people from very different backgrounds have come together to provide real, practical help. By supporting ambulances for Ukraine, they are not only saving lives but also showing that cooperation, empathy, and solidarity can overcome attempts to sow division. I am proud to see our town playing such an important part, demonstrating that when we focus on what unites us rather than what separates us, we can achieve extraordinary things."
Since the start of the ambulance appeal, over 60 ambulances and 4x4 vehicles have been sent to Ukraine, with the total funds raised approaching £600,000, demonstrating the incredible impact of sustained community effort and generosity.
The event was organised by Belveder CIC, in partnership with LKQ Euro Car Parts, and supported by The Event Business, local charities and community organisations, reinforcing the message that sustained cooperation can deliver lasting impact.
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