Kasia Niemiec to speak at The Business Magazine's Ukraine fundraiser

Southampton businesswoman, Kasia Niemiec is to speak at the Ukrainian fundraising event, ‘Business Matters.’

Here she explains to The Business Magazine, some of the Ukrainian aid efforts which are already underway in Southampton.

The 'Business United' charity evening will see Southampton's business community gather to co-ordinate efforts in aid of Ukraine.

Register your place at the event >>

All proceeds from the March 17th networking event will go directly to Emergency Disaster Relief Fund’s Ukrainian projects.

Ms Niemiec, who has family in Ukraine, is an international business coach and experienced manager. Currently employed as a business coach and mentor with the NAO Institute, the Oxford University Executive Leadership programme graduate emigrated to the United Kingdom in 2007.

Kasia is, as she informs The Business Mag, sore from events in Ukraine, physically and mentally. “We spent days packing aid boxes and loading pallets to send to Ukraine. My back is sore today but there is so much more to do. We organised an aid collection through The Polish Club and MLJ Auto Centre in Southampton.”

Though Kasia was born in Poland her family are Ukrainian: “So we are all trying to do as much as we can to help.”

As part of the Southampton business community response to the crisis, a van loaded with aid has already arrived inthe Ukrainian village of Haryhlyady. The van was packed and driven to Ukraine by volunteers of Southampton’s Polish community. The drivers were Kyle Meade and Emmanuel Quendera.

READ MORE: The Business Magazine to host 'Business United' Ukraine fundraising event in Southampton

All efforts were co-ordinated between the Southampton Polish Club, MJL Garages, Marlands Shopping Centre, who donated space to store pallets and St. Mary’s activity centre where the arranging and packing was undertaken.

Kasia continued: “There are already two million people who have left Ukraine. Most have crossed the Polish border but wherever they go they will need assistance. The flood of people leaving Ukraine do so with only enough supplies and/or cash to survive a day or two, they need shelter, clothes and food. Many might even need counselling.”

Asked how the local business community can help Ukraine, Kasia said: “Segregating and packing all the donations is very labour intensive. It could perhaps help with organising a team of volunteers to come together to prepare donations. Unfortunately helping isn’t simply a matter of sending aid. There are many logistical problems with transporting goods other than collecting and packing it. While people are very generous donating goods, all the major charities are saying money is the best way to help and there are still many other ways to help those in need.

“With that in mind The Business United event is a great opportunity to talk with people face to face in an environment where everyone wants to help.

“There are many things perhaps we didn’t know a week ago, for example some Ukrainians coming to the UK will need sponsored by a third party, many will need places to stay and jobs when they arrive. Most will need help filling in and understanding the home office forms for example.

“Those fleeing Ukraine are going to find the rules to enter the UK difficult to navigate. There is of course the language barrier. We need to co-ordinate our efforts as much as possible. I am delighted to be asked to speak at Business United.”

Business United in aid of Disaster Emergency Relief Fund efforts in Ukraine, will be held in Southampton's Grand Cafe on March 17th from 6pm.