THE GREAT and the good of Warwickshire came together for an evening of unity for Ukraine.
Over 160 guests gathered at the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington recently for “Building Hope Together Through a Chain of Kindness”.
The event was organised by Leamington-based community initiative Belveder and brought together community leaders, diplomats, mayors, councillors, and volunteers to honour those who have contributed to humanitarian efforts in support of the war torn country.
Among the distinguished guests were Eduard Fesko, deputy ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, MP Rachael Taylor, The Honorable Anthony Cleary, and David Kelham, deputy lieutenant of Warwickshire.
The event was also attended by Karen Lynch, high sheriff of Warwickshire, as well as the mayors of Warwick and Whitnash and numerous councillors from Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, and local town councils.
The evening began with a heartfelt message from Sister Marlena in Ukraine, read by Wanda Cicholaz, followed by moving speeches from William Grow and Dawid Kozłowski, coordinator of the ambulance convoys to Ukraine and one of the event’s main organisers.
The event also celebrated the growing local impact of Belveder, which runs and develops social projects such as Sunday Lunches at the Polish Centre, supported by WDC and “Warm and Well at home”.
Eduard Fesko said: “On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom – and to our friends here in Warwickshire – for their unwavering support. Every act of kindness, every ambulance sent, and every symbol of solidarity reminds us that we are not alone in our struggle for freedom and peace. Thank you for standing with Ukraine.”