North Lincolnshire couple rent Polish hotel as hub for refugees
Gosia and Jakub, who are originally from Poland, say they need donations to provide people fleeing the war with essentials
Last updated 22nd Mar 2022
A couple, normally based in North Lincolnshire, have rented out an entire hotel in their home country, Poland, to help refugees from Ukraine.
Gosia and Jakub Golata have teamed up with the Polish arm of the Sue Ryder Foundation charity, to host people who have fled the war, while they are connected with local host families.
The pair, who've lived in Barrow-upon-Humber since 2004, say they will stay at the site to help those in need for as long as it is needed.
Gosia, who works as a Lincolnshire Police officer, told Hits Radio Lincolnshire: "The people who are crossing the border, they've been travelling for days and they have nowhere to sleep. When they are coming to us, some of them just cry all the time, they are so traumatised. They are very very grateful.
"Poland basically can't cope with the volume, with the number of refugees coming in. Everybody is trying to do their best, but it is just impossible to help two million people in a country where forty million people live."
Jakub added: "As the charity organisation and volunteers, we can basically support the Government and other charity organisations. We're hoping that at some point, somebody will step in and look after the refugees.
"The situation is really bad at this moment. Tens of thousands of refugees are sleeping in a big logistical centre. Some of them sleep rough. Mothers and daughters are not looked-after, the welfare is very challenging. We don't have a cut-off date, we will continue as long as we can financially."
After starting by funding the project themselves, the pair have opened a donation page, raising money to fund shelter, food and transport.
They are also supporting refugees to become self-sufficient, and gain independence.
As well as welcoming donations, the pair say they are looking for psychological support from people who can speak Ukrainian or Russian, to support refugees cope with the trauma of the conflict.