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Belfast Live

National

Jane Corscadden

Ukraine crisis: East Belfast deli owner 'heartbroken' by war donating items to refugees

Ukraine East Belfast Belfast Poland NI

A Polish woman living in Belfast is collecting donations for Ukrainian refguees as the war has left her "heartbroken."

Trained chef, photographer and florist Monika Rawson owns Smokey Deli in East Belfast, and moved to the city from Poland in 2007.

Her family - many of whom remain in the country - live just 40km away from the border with Ukraine, and have witnessed the huge amount of refugees flocking to the country.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Thursday, February 24, it's estimated that around 500,000 Ukrainians have travelled to Poland to seek refuge. These numbers are expected to quickly climb into the millions if the crisis continues.

Feeling helpless about the situation, Monica decided to turn her emotions into action, and on Sunday started collecting donations at her deli on Grand Parade.

"I just feel so heartbroken for Ukraine, they're my neighbours. Ukraine is so close to my heart," Monika told Belfast Live.

"My family only live 40km away from the border. I'm worried for them as well, because Putin is so mad in the head, nobody knows what's going to happen next. I just dread for the worst.

Items being loaded into vans to travel to Poland (Monika Rawson)

"I cried all last week, and now I feel much better as we can do a little to help. Now that we can contribute to reducing the pain, and helping them as much as we can. It's so sad, it's breaking my heart. I call home now and I watch the news, and it's just hard to see.

"On Saturday, I got the idea to do something, and on Sunday we opened for donations. Tomorrow is another donation day."

Monika said her family in Poland are "proud" of the work they're doing in collecting donations to send from Northern Ireland to the border in Ukraine.

She added: "This sort of thing has not been seen in a long time for my generation. Families in Poland are bringing refugees into their houses, and even letting them stay in farm buildings.

"Poland is a great, friendly country, they're trying to help them as much as they can. Family friends of mine are driving around trying their best.

"Even here, you see the Polish community stand up and try to do something instead of just watching the news and crying. We're afraid for our families there too, as they may be next.

Smokey Deli on Grand Parade, East Belfast (Monika Rawson)

"People from Northern Ireland have been so supportive with donations. The local people have been bringing lots of strength and support too.

"I think everybody is trying to do a little bit to feel a bit better knowing we can be or help to the Ukrainians."

The next donations will leave from Smokey Deli at 4pm on Saturday, March 5, where they will go to a warehouse in Mallusk before travelling to Poland. Donations can be left at the deli until then, preferably in boxes, as plastic bin bags can easily break.

Monika shared with us a list of items those working at the Ukranian border have informed her are needed. They include:

Medical items: