Last weekend we managed to complete a project that we have been working on together with the Polish community living in Scotland for several years. The GOCC Foundation has its own tartan! On Sunday, during a special visit to Scotland, Jerzy Owsiak received a brand new kilt.
In December 2018, thanks to the commitment of the GOCC Collection Centres in the UK and the determination of the Edinburgh Polish community, and with the support of Mrs Lesley Duncan, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity tartan design has entered the Scottish Register of Tartans under number 12317.
This is quite an event and a great honour for the Foundation and Poland! Tartan is a material with a strictly defined check pattern assigned to the respective clans, organisations or cities. The procedure for the preparation of the design, approval, registration of the pattern and then production of the material is extremely restrictive. The correct and legal use of the designs is supervised by the office of The Court of Lord Lyon.
The tartan’s design is formed from intersecting stripes of different widths and colours. Each design is quite different, prepared with attention to detail and full of symbolism, which makes it even more special.
On the official website of the Scottish Register of Tartans when describing the design of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity it reads:
„Designed to honour the thousands of volunteers from all over the world, united in the long-term mission of The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in the field of health protection. Colour: red symbolises the heart in the Foundation's logo; grey represents the hard work and involvement of volunteers; yellow represents the joy of helping. White and red were included colours of the flag of Poland and white and blue were chosen to represent the involvement and support of the people of Scotland.”
We are the only Foundation in Poland to boast our own tartan design. Such an exceptional distinction called for an exceptional celebration. At the invitation of the Polish community and Mrs Lesley Duncan, who supports our Collection Centre in Edinburgh, representatives of the GOCC Foundation travelled to Scotland to personally collect a traditional Scottish kilt sewn from our tartan!
It was an unforgettable journey, full of stunning views, kind gestures and goodwill.
The donation of the foundation kilt took place at The Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. Thanks to Mrs Duncan and her Scottish friends, an entire traditional Scottish outfit was completed for Jurek Owsiak. In turn, we, in gratitude for Mrs Lesley Duncan's help and commitment to volunteering, decided to make a surprise and gift her a traditional Polish costume from the Lowicz region.
The Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh himself was involved in organising the kilt handover ceremony. Representatives of the GOCC Foundation, the Polish community and the local community met at The Royal Scots Club. To the sound of bagpipes, Lady Lasley Duncan and Jerzy Owsiak, dressed in traditional costumes, performed on stage. A second kilt was also donated to the Foundation to be used in next year's Grand Finale charity auction.
It was an extraordinary adventure that will live long in our memories. We would like to thank our irreplaceable volunteers and the entire Polish community, who represent our country so magnificently. Thanks to you, truly unheard-of things are happening!
Lidia Niedźwiedzka-Owsiak, who is the director of the medical division of the GOCC Foundation, was awarded an Honoris Causa at the Poznań University of Medical Sciences. This recognition was given in appreciation of her commitment to upholding the highest standards in healthcare.
Traditionally, on Fridays just before the Grand Finale fundraiser, the GOCC Foundation hosts a press conference to sum up the preparations for the annual collection. Jurek Owsiak will present all our initiatives, actions, and activities as we prepare to celebrate another edition of the joyous celebration of kindness!
The merry tunes of the Great Orchestra reach the world's ends! Our melody of solidarity and friendship will once again play across the globe thanks to our amazing volunteers. What are the colours of the wind coming from both the poles?
