Meet Konrad Milewski. He joined us earlier this year as a Charity Partner Collector, and his role involves collecting clothes, shoes, books and much more from the many charity shops CTR partners with.
He does something else remarkable for us each fortnight too. Every two weeks Konrad drives a four-day, 2500 mile round trip to the German/Polish border, to hand over donations and supplies to the Polish Red Cross.
We launched our ongoing appeal in March, asking for donations and supplies that we could send to the Polish Red Cross, in support of the people of Ukraine. The response has been so overwhelming we are able to send fully-loaded artic lorries, weekly.
These weekly deliveries give us the extra capacity to get more vital supplies safely to those who need them most at the border. Some donations will stay within Poland to help those who have already crossed the border, and the rest head into Ukraine.
Since March Konrad has been one of our drivers making the demanding four-day round trip to the German/Polish border. Konrad travels in convoy (as much as the traffic allows) with three other colleagues making the same journey. He says it helps make the long journey less tiring to travel together, and it’s good to have work friends nearby for life’s little challenges along the way – such as getting a flat tyre in heavy traffic!
Like many of us at CTR, Konrad wanted to get involved and help in any way he could. Konrad is Polish and so has lots of friends and family there. By driving essential supplies over to the border he feels he is doing something really important. Konrad comments, ‘It means that people in need will have fresh clothes and food. The people at the Polish Red Cross are always very kind and very helpful. We try to arrange a time to meet with them to unload the donations. We always have a chat with them once the lorry is empty, then we drive back to the UK.’
Konrad has seen how crucial these weekly deliveries are first-hand, and he is encouraging everyone to keep donating. The Polish Red Cross is asking for mainly new items, such as bedding, canned food, camping equipment, and underwear – the full list is below. Here at CTR we can accept bags of used clothes, as we take the clothes, weigh them and donate the money to help with the associated costs of the operation.
Whether you’re a big business or an individual looking to make a donation, then you can get in touch with us directly on 01283 820104 or email Renata.
Alternatively, you can bring your donations straight to our Uttoxeter site at 30 Marchington Industrial Estate, Marchington, Uttoxter, Staffordshire, ST14 8LP.
The Polish Red Cross is asking for:
– Bedding
– Canned food
– Medicines (painkillers, antiseptic creams etc.)
– Underwear
– Camping equipment
– Camping beds
– Rescue stretchers
– Tents
– Generators
– Sleeping bags
– Pillows and duvets
– Warm blankets
As well as items from the original list:
– Torches
– Batteries
– Lighters
– Bandages, plasters etc.
– Gloves
– Warm socks
– Warm shoes (size 10+)
– Sanitary pads
– Diapers
– Formula milk for children
– Wet wipes
If you’re able to contribute, we thank you in advance.
