A LOCAL Ennis group has been set up to help Ukrainian refugees driven out of their country following the invasion by Russia.

The group, Ireland Poland Ukraine Refugee Relief (IPURR) are fundraising to support their Polish friend Marcin Piotrowski, who lived in Ennis but now lives in Poland, 10km from the Ukraine border.

Last week the Clare Champion detailed how Marcin and his wife Marina’s have been helping those fleeing Ukraine by providing vital supplies to those on the border as well as a place of refuge in their home.

The members of the new group are Anna Labuda Scanlon, Mayor of Ennis Ann Norton, Kieran O’Loughlin, Frank Gormley, Ray Scanlon and Pat Rutherford

Councillor Norton tells us, “Marcin has an excellent reputation in Ireland as a humanitarian. He has done trojan work in Ireland in helping to integrate his community into Irish society.

“He started, amongst other things, the Polish Ireland Festival, which took place not only in Ennis but in other towns in Ireland including Northern Ireland. People throughout County Clare would have enjoyed the traditionally dressed Polish group who participated in St Patrick’s Day Parade since 2015.

“Marcin would have played a major role in organising the group’s formation and they were thrilled one year to pick up a prize for the best presented group.”

Prior to leaving Ireland to return to his home country, he was voted Polish Person of the Year in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. These activities resulted in him being invited by the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins to the Presidential Residence in recognition of his good work. The British Ambassador in Dublin also recognised this commitment by having him as a guest in the British Embassy for Queen Elizabeth’s birthday.

“Large numbers of Ukrainian refugees are now arriving and continue to arrive in Marcin’s small village which is in an area that he represents in the local council.

“His humanitarian spirit has helped to galvanise the local community to do everything they can do for the refugees. Their local ice rink is now the Control Centre for the refugees, where their nutritional, wellbeing and medical needs are looked after. 

“Food is also delivered inside Ukraine to refugees who are lodging there. One of the major shortcomings of this key refugee crossing is that Marcin’s village, Gorajec, has a population of  only 140.”

While there are large amounts of food, clothing, and medical supplies enroute by land to Poland, Marcin has identified that he can buy the necessary provisions locally and get them to the refugees’ days quicker, she explains.

“He tells us that the provisions will generally cost less. Getting funds as early as possible to his village group, enhances what they can achieve.

“One of big immediate requirements is the purchase of a large generator so that they can have continuous hot meals for the refugees.

“He says that hopefully this war will soon be over and that his non-profit organisation has a plan for the generator to be donated to their local hospital.

“Receiving funds soon will put them in a much more advantageous position. Marcin Piotrowski has a proven track record of delivering on his objectives through maintaining an energetic high-level motivational commitment.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the group to raise donations in support of Marcin’s work at  https://gofund.me/d11b390e