Caring Forth Valley College students have swung into action to help provide essential aid to people fleeing the Ukraine war zone.
A group of five students including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students Beata Anna Staszek, Sebastian Grzelak, Julija Jasinka (also a NQ Social Care student) and HND Business student Natalia Witkowska, have started organising donation points for staff and students to drop off items to send across to Ukrainian refugees at various Eastern European borders. They are appealing for their lecturers, classmates and peers to give what they can to help improve the lives and conditions of the fear-stricken families who are leaving the troubled country, currently embroiled in a conflict with Russia.
The student group are mainly looking to receive donations of first aid items (bandages, plasters, pain killers), flashlights, batteries, candles, canned food (including baby and pet food), warm clothing for children and adults (thermal wear), blankets, bed linen, sleeping bags/mats, female menstrual products, baby nappies, formula, prams/buggies, and bottles and wipes.
Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) is helping the students promote their project and is acting as a donation point where students and staff can leave any items outside the Student Association Offices on any campus, with a note that the items are for the Ukrainian refugees.
Beata Anna Staszek (46) an (ESOL) student, who lives in Falkirk but is originally from Poland said: “I have been inspired by the actions taken by ordinary people and local communities and I would like to thank Sylvia Kay Scott from the Hallglen Community. Through Sylvia, on Saturday, only two days after the invasion began, the collection of the most necessary products began and will be sent to and handed over to refugees from Ukraine. The Hallglen Community immediately reacted and dozens of boxes of hygiene products, medicines, dressings, essentials for babies and blankets will be immediately transported to the Ukraine.
“Now with the support of students at Forth Valley College and the FVSA, we are supporting actions for Ukrainian refugees. They will be organising collections of essentials, fundraising and I would like to thank them on behalf of all people who care.”
Elena Semple, FVSA Student Engagement Coordinator, said: “While we all watched in terror the news reports last week coming from Ukraine, our students have been quick to act and organise themselves to support the Ukrainian refugees. This amazing display of humanitarianism is exactly what the world needs now and these students are working with their communities to show much needed kindness and warmth to those affected. The Student Association is immensely proud of the students and will aim to help them in this passionate endeavour.”