A DONATION hub has been set up in Barnsley to support people who have been affected by the devastating floods in Poland.
Emilia Barciszyn, 34, is working together with the Polish Library in the town centre to help raise much-needed items for people back home.
On September 15, her hometown of Stronie Slaskie in south-west Poland was ‘totally destroyed’.
Hundreds of people have lots their homes, cars and all of their belongings - prompting Emilia to do what she can to support locals.
She told the Chronicle: “They only have what they were able to grab before they had to evacuate to save their lives.
“Lots of my family members, friends and neighbours are affected.
“Stronie Slaskie is a small tourist town in the mountains with ski resorts.
“The temperatures at night are now below freezing.
“People are fighting to have dry, warm and safe places to survive this winter - the situation is critical.”
A donation point is now located in Hope House, on Blucher Street, with the access via the rear car park.
They open on Tuesday and Fridays from 10am to 3pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm.
Emilia added: “I just can’t drop everything, buy a plane ticket and go there to help with my hands.
“This is why I decided to help from a distance.
“Together with the Polish Library we are running a donation hub in Barnsley.
“Thousands of people in affected areas have lost everything.
“We have already received hundreds of donations so the response is visible - and we are hoping for thousands more.
“There are lots of people with open hearts in Barnsley.”
A full list of the items needed:
Meds and personal hygiene:
-Flu remedies (like Lemsip or similar)
-Painkillers like paracetamol and Ibuprofen (for kids and adults)
-Sore throat reliefs (for kids and adults)
-Diarrhoea reliefs (e.g. Loperamide) for kids and adults
-Oral rehydration powder or tablets (to mix with water prevent dehydration)
-Disposable adult nappies and pants (all sizes includes XXXL) as many as possible
-Disposable bed pads (all sizes)
-Nappies, wet wipes, nappy creams for kids
-Shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, antiperspirants
Appliances and household items:
-Electric heaters - all kinds like fan, panel, oil filled radiators, ceramic, convector - as many as possible
-Kettles, microwaves, hoovers
-Cutlery sets
-Dinner sets
-Food storage boxes (all sizes)
-Water filters and water filter jugs
-Dehumidifiers plugged ones are the best - as many as possible
-Pressure cleaners (eg. Karcher)
-Carbon monoxide detectors
-Batteries
-Solar lamps (to put on walls outside the houses)
-Tool boxes and tools
Clothing:
-Safety boots and safety shoes
-Brand new socks for adults and kids - all sizes and as many as possible
-Brand new t-shirts
-Brand new fleeces
-Heavy duty work gloves
For cleaning:
- Anti mould sprays and liquids
- All other kinds of cleaning products (sprays, liquids etc)
- Antibacterial soaps
- Towels, cleaning cloths - all kinds and sizes
Due to destroyed and flooded nurseries and primary schools:
- Pencil cases
- Notebooks
- Reams of print paper (white and colour)
- Pencils
- Crayons
- Pens
- Pencils rubbers
- Pencil sharpeners
- Felt tips and markers
- Paints and brushes
- Kids scissors
- Glue sticks
- Play-doh, plasticine etc
- Jigsaw puzzles
