31. Finał WOŚP: Informator EN

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Message from Jurek Owsiak

Helping is a child’s play! Introduced few years ago, this slogan still remains very up-to-date. We can only affirm that anyone willing to support our Foundation, may help anytime throughout the year, and rest assured that their help will be used effectively!

For the past three decades, we have been acting to support Polish health care. The first Grand Finale, held 30 years ago, was meant to be a one-off TV adventure, but its effects – financial support for the cardiology units treating children in Poland – turned out to be spectacular and inspired a quite different perspective. As of the 2nd Grand Finale, our actions have been well-planned, and with each edition of the Grand Finale, much more effective. 30 years of us playing translates into almost 70,000 medical devices, several successful world-class medical programmes run nationwide, and immediate responses to critical situations whether it is a natural disaster, humanitarian crisis or pandemic. Each time we prove that with the support of the Polish community based in Poland and abroad, united we can make a real difference.

The GOCC Foundation is people working in different Sections to deliver everything we’ve planned. We use our online platforms to share the results of our day-to-day work in detail. This very booklet which you are now holding in your hand gives us also a chance to deliver a brief annual summary of our activities. The GOCC Foundation, just as all the other well-organized NGOs, does its best to fulfill the tasks, the system fails to fulfil. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed, but it pushes us to move forward, to prove our management skills with regard to resources and our determination to make great things happen. The world is full of challenges, which works as a trigger for us – to always keep our minds and hearts open to others. By the “stay healthy in a healthy world” message, we mean to look at the environmental protection globally, especially in the areas, where we live. Together with everyone who makes the GOCC Foundation, we strive to live in the spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and freedom of speech. It is also a child’s play! And we will make every effort to encourage more and more people to celebrate the most beautiful holiday – the Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity!

All the information are up-to-date. If you wish to learn more about our activities, visit our sites: en.wosp.org.pl www.facebook.com/GOCCFoundation en.polandrockfestival.pl/ www.facebook.com/PolAndRockFestivalEN/

In 30 Grand Finales we have raised over PLN 1,75 billion (almost EUR 373,660,000) and donated nearly 70,000 medical devices* in aid of public health care in Poland. Your contribution made it possible. Thank you for your support! * as of October 2022

Our Mission

There are few non-governmental initiatives which have helped shape the social landscape of a country in the way that the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has influenced Poland.

Our charity, established by Jurek Owsiak, has been working since 1993 and it grew to be one of the best-known charities in the country. Our work is now synonymous with charity, voluntary service and social involvement for citizens of Poland and Polish community overseas.

We work to improve the conditions at public hospitals in Poland, mainly focusing on different branches of paediatrics.

The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has raised over PLN 1,75 billion. We purchased nearly 70,000 pieces of medical equipment such as CT scanners, incubators, surgery and rehabilitation equipment, medical devices for oncology wards and equipment such as hospital beds and other furniture.

We aim to buy only the best, most advanced medical devices to ensure that all children in Poland have access to the top-quality medical care.

The charity has initiated, financed, and helped run eight medical projects, which systematically transform Polish medi cine. The GOCC Foundation also promotes first aid and CPR knowledge by running an educational initiative. We introduced CPR training to almost 3,000,000 children from primary schools across the country.

Jurek Owsiak, founder and chairman of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation

FAQ

What do you do?

We are the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (GOCC for short), and we raise funds to buy modern equipment for public hospitals in Poland. We focus our work on improving conditions in paediatric and neonatal hospitals. We also finance eight medical initiatives and one educational project as well as providing equipment for medics battling coronavirus and engaging in other charitable projects.

How much money have you raised in aid of Polish medicine?

We have raised over PLN 1,75 billion (almost EUR 373,660,000)! We bought and donated nearly 70,000 pieces of medical equipment and we continue our medical purchases.

What does the name of your charity mean?

Jurek Owsiak, a man with an abstract sense of humour and founder of our organisation, came up with the name in 1993 when the first Grand Finale fundraiser took place.

No, we are not an orchestra, but music is an integral part of our activities. We love music, and we want everyone to raise funds and have fun at the same time. We „play” so that children have access to the top-class medical equipment.

How to get in touch with you?

You can send us an e-mail to wosp@wosp.org.pl or get in touch with us via social media channels. We are based in Warsaw, Poland.

Who is Jurek Owsiak?

Jurek Owsiak is a journalist and radio broadcaster. He is also a social activist and founder of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation and the mastermind behind Pol’and’Rock Festival. Jurek is one of the most influential people in Poland. He was also appointed an UN Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals.

Do you buy equipment only for Polish hospitals?

Yes, we aim to support public hospitals in Poland, but we engage in international humanitarian actions too.

What is the Grand Finale, and when does it take place?

Grand Finale is our charitable fundraiser, and it takes place on one day, traditionally on Sunday, in January. Our fundraiser

is organised locally and often features many entertainment, sporting, and cultural activities.

Do you fundraise in Poland only?

Volunteers hold local collections across Poland and everywhere where there is a vibrant Polish community. Everyone is welcome to join our community of volunteers and take part in the fundraiser. It’s always fun!

How to volunteer with you?

You can volunteer with us on the day of the Grand Finale by raising money, or you can get involved in the work of a local Collection Centre. You can also join Peace Patrol and co-create the biggest non-commercial events in Europe – the Grand Finale fundraiser and Pol’and’Rock Festival.

How many volunteers are involved in the Grand Finale?

120,000 volunteers support us across the globe! Since the beginning of our work, we estimate that 3,000,000 activists were involved in our fundraiser.

What is a Collection Centre?

Collection Centre is a local hub of activity, where activists organise their own, regional editions of the fundraiser. Collection Centres assume responsibility for the fundraiser: enrol and instruct volunteers and hold events making the Grand Finale a real community celebration. There are usually 1,700 local Collection Centres registered with our charity – both in Poland and abroad.

What’s up with the red stickers?

Volunteers give out red stickers to people who donated money on the day of the Grand Finale. Our logo is one of the most recognised symbols in the country!

How can I donate?

You can find a volunteer and donate in person on the day of the Grand Finale fundraiser. You can also support us online, make a direct money transfer or take part in exciting online (and offline) auctions.

Do you organise other events?

Yes! One major event organised by our charity is the biggest non-commercial open-air Festival in Europe Pol’and’Rock Festival, formerly known as Woodstock Festival Poland. In 2022, our festival was once again held under the open skies in a brand new, picturesque location in Czaplinek-Broczyno Airfield in western Poland.

Is your Festival free?

Yes, it is the biggest free open-air music festival in Europe!

Find out more about us at en.wosp.org.pl and en.polandrockfestival.pl

Jurek Owsiak is the founder, chairman of the board of the Foundation and the longest-serving volunteer of the charity.

Other

members of the board are:

Professor Bohdan Maruszewski, M.D. - vice-chairman of the board

According to 2021 IQS research, 84 % of Poles trust our charity. We score the highest result out of all non-governmental organisations in the country. Our Foundation is associated with such qualities as openness, community, and trust. What is more, 97% of Poles know our brand, and 80% of them know that money donated in aid of the charity will go towards its goal and will be spent conscientiously and honestly.

Our awards:

We have been honoured to receive – among many others:

Architect of Sustainable Development – United Nations

– for Jerzy Owsiak

European Citizen’s Prize established by the European Parliament

Two nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize

Polish Medical Society Award

Effie Awards

Golden Paperclip Award

Honorary Award of Polish Cardiothoracic Surgeon Association

European Institute of Culture and Media Award – POLONICUS Pearls of Medicine

Best Festival Promotor: International Music Industry Awards

Peace Summit Medal for Social Activism – awarded to Jurek Owsiak at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates

Woman of the Year Award 2017 – awarded to Lidia Niedźwiedzka-Owsiak

„Plus ratio quam vis” – awarded to Jerzy Owsiak

Award of the Kyoto-Kraków Foundation by Andrzej Wajda and Krystyna Zachwatowicz for outstanding activity in the spirit of social solidarity

Father Tischner’s Prize for Jerzy and Lidia Owsiak

Man of the Year Special Award presented by the editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza

The special award of the Polish Business Roundtable named after Jan Wejchert

Golden Pearl 2019 for the board game „First Aid”, awarded by Świat Zabawek Gier Planszowych i Książek

The main prize for the board game „First Aid”, awarded by the Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights Award for work for the public benefit given to Jurek Owsiak by the Polish Business Club

Trustworthy Brand – in category of Foundations and NGOs Child-friendly Idea Award in the Best Hit for Child competition

Lidia Niedźwiedzka-Owsiak - member of the board, Medical Section Director

Professor Piotr Burczyński, M.D. - member of the board

Supervisory board

Professor Andrzej Budaj Irena Eris, PhD

Fr. Arkadiusz Nowak

Professor Bogumiła Milewska-Bobula Professor Michał Matysiak

We are the most trustworthy organisation in Poland

About the Grand Finale Fundraiser

Grand Finale is a one-day public charitable fundraiser, which traditionally takes place on a Sunday in January. Our charitable collection is held inter nationally, and it is run by the local hubs of activity – Collection Centres.

1,700 Collection Centres organise the work of 120,000 volunteers. Our charitable Orchestra ”plays” across the World: in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, across Europe and Russia, in Africa, the Americas, on board of Po lish ships, and even at the North Pole research station!

Since 1993, Grand Finale fundraiser is held in aid of a specific medical objective. Our main goal is to support Polish children’s hospitals and pur chase modern medical equipment.

Benefactors can support the effort by putting money in the Collection Boxes, making online and mobile transfers as well as taking part in cha ritable auctions.

The Grand Finale is a vibrant, joyous occasion - much more than a fun draiser. There are entertaining fundraising events, such as concerts, fairs, performances and sporting and creative activities for kids and grown-ups held in aid of our objective. Grand Finale inspires people to volunteer and becomes an opportunity to engage in social activism. It is a way for com munities to bond and for people to take up action. Each Grand Finale fun draiser is a grassroots initiative, organised by local activists and relying on local resources. Even though each Grand Finale is different, there are some standard features of each event, for instance, charitable auctions and raf fles. One of the highlights of the day is a firework display or its alternative – the so called “Light to the Sky”, that is sending a special signal to the good angels and the sky. Communities come together to admire the different light shows.

The 31st G rand Finale

The main objective of the 31st Grand Finale is to fight sepsis, a set of symp toms caused by an uncontrolled, sudden body’s response to an infection. Sepsis may lead to multiple organ system failures, shock, and death in just a few hours.

The key to a sepsis patient’s survival is an early diagnosis and applica tion of the proper treatment – preferably within the first hour. Research shows that any delay in diagnosing sepsis and administering an effective antibiotic therapy with a one-hour delay increases the risk of death by 8 per cent. Therefore, the GOCC Foundation wants to provide hospitals with equipment to speed up the diagnosis of sepsis, which will enable better treatment through faster implementation of targeted and effective anti biotic therapy.

“Sepsis is not a bacteria, sepsis is a set of symptoms that often leads, in a dramatic and rapid way, to death. The data provided by the World Health Organization show that sepsis is the leading cause of every fifth death, that is of 20% of annual global deaths. It is a great global killer. The first basic move is to provide an early diagnosis, while using the most advanced diag nostic methods, and administrating proper treatment fast. Every hour is precious, every hour may save someone’s life.”

Volunteers

Volunteers are the driving force of our initiative. A group of 120,000 people of all ages, creeds, and world-views contribute their time, energy and enthusiasm to create the most vibrant and exciting fundraiser in the country! Everyone is welcome to volunteer, and we are happy to see so many volunteers returning to ”play” with us. What is more, our volunteers often return with their family members and friends who also join our initiative. Our oldest volunteer was well over ninety years old, while the youngest was just a few months old.

Everyone can contribute as much time and effort as they can. You can become one of the core members of the Crew at the Collection Centre and oversee the entire organisation of the local event, or become a part of the team tasked with raising funds on the day of the Grand Finale.

Volunteering with us is easy and fun – everyone is welcome. The best way to learn more about volunteering is getting in touch with your local Collection Centre because each Grand Finale fundraiser is different.

On the day of the Grand Finale

Each Grand Finale volunteer should have their ID card, Collection Box and an ample supply of heart stickers. Volunteers can fundraise in public places and during different fundraising events. In exchange for donations, people receive stickers in the shape of our logo. Everyone in Poland knows our heart-shaped symbol!

- Professor Bohdan

Maruszewski M.D., member of the board of the GOCC Foundation

Collection Centre

The idea behind our charitable event is to engage local communities. We let local activists take the reins of the fundraising in their area. We provide them with essentials (Collection Boxes, promotio nal materials, and ID badges), and each year we are surprised by the creativity and resourcefulness of our volunteers.

Local activists form Collection Centres, which apart from drafting vo lunteers and holding the one-day public collection, become hubs of activity for the local community. Collection Centre staff go above and beyond: they organise concerts, have parties, cook-outs, raffles, fairs, sporting events, and other - fun, surprising, and extraordinary initia tives. Local Grand Finales draw attention to their fundraising efforts and publicising the case locally and nationwide.

There are almost 1,700 Collection Centres registered each year, and there are almost a hundred Collection Centres formed abroad.

What is more, business owners can display our Collection Boxes on their premises to support the objective of the Grand Finale fundraiser.

Thank you and keep rocking!

Corporate Support

Local Collection Centres are purely grassroots initiatives. We do not finance local events, fundraising initiatives, and other running costs of holding local actions. We always stress the fact that the money raised in aid of our charitable goal MUST NOT go towards holding any events associated with the Grand Finale initiative. ALL funds must go towards the medical objective of the Grand Finale.

Different Collection Centres might have different needs, and there are many ways in which you can help volunteers. Supporting the most significant charitable initiative in the country can improve your company’s image and promote your products and services to the local community.

If your company can offer any form of support: material, financial, or provide your services free of charge, please get in touch with your local Collection Centre!

Another exciting form of donation is taking part in online auctions held at the Allegro bidding platform. About 200,000 auctions appear on the portal during the Grand Finale. The auctions of the 30th Final ended with a record amount of PLN 37,414,104. For 22 years of playing with Allegro, we collected almost PLN 148 million, which contributed to the Foundation’s account.

How to support our mission?

Your donations have the power to change the conditions at public hospitals in Poland!

Apart from dropping money into the Collection Box on the day of the Grand Finale, you can donate online, on our website, or send a direct money transfer to our account. Benefactors paying taxes in Poland can also choose our charity as recipients of 1% of their tax. We receive donations made through Facebook fundraisers and other digital platforms. All proceeds made from the sale of our merchandise in SiemaShop go towards funding the running of our charity.

Our Finances and Accountability

Fundraising practices

Our main fundraising activity is the annual, one-day public charitable collection. 120,000 volunteers collect funds in Poland and abroad, 1,700 Collection Centres hold a variety of fundraising events and initiatives, businesses raise funds on their premises, and we run different online fundraisers. Our benefactors can make direct bank transfers or donate 1% of their tax return in aid of our mission. The money raised at the Grand Finale go towards the purchase of medical equipment for a chosen branch of medicine. We also finance the running of medical and educational initiatives, run a voluntary service programme and offer our support to worthy causes.

Financial reports and transparency

It takes us over a year and a half to file a complete financial statement of how we managed the money raised at the Grand Finale fundraiser. The result of each charitable collection is announced in March and then we analyse the needs of hospitals and their requests and verify them. We have to get through all requests for equipment we received from the hospitals, hold Open Tenders to buy the equipment, and wait for it to be delivered to hospitals. Sometimes we need to wait for the devices to be produced and shipped from factories outside Poland. Once the machines are delivered, and the staff is instructed on how to use them, we can file our financial report.

We strive to be transparent, honest and accountable for the funds we raised. Independent surveyors audit our performance.

We submit our financial reports to all relevant supervisory bodies – appropriate revenue offices, Ministries of Health, Administration, Labour and Social Policy, and Ministry of Finances.

According to our most recent financial statement from 2021, the expenses related to the organisation of the fundraiser amounted to 3.1% of the annual revenue of our Foundation. All remaining funds go solely towards our charitable work.

Equipment Purchases

Each Grand Finale fundraiser is held in aid of a specific branch of medicine. We begin the process by compiling hospital requests for equipment. We then organise Open Tenders, when our medical and technical experts assess offers made by the manufacturers and dealers of medical equipment. We can negotiate the best possible deals on medical devices. The report of the purchases made at each Open Tender is filed with the relevant Ministries. Having accounted for all purchases, we submit a full financial report listing: the amount, worth, quality, type of equipment we purchased and specify where the equipment will be delivered to.

You can check how we spent your donation!

Everyone can look into our spending practices . Website nacoidamojepieniadze.wosp.org.pl provides a detailed breakdown of our expenses, accounting for how much money went towards the purchase of equipment and how much was used to finance medical and educational initiatives.

International Collection Centres

Our initiative first went international in 1993, when a group of amazing enthusiasts from New York City decided to hold the first-ever Grand Finale fundraiser outside of Poland. The Polish community in the US rai sed money during a fantastic rock’n’roll concert at the Cricket Club.

30 years later we have gone global – our charitable Orchestra begins the fundraiser in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, taking it across Asia to Moscow, Russia. Most Collection Centres are active in Europe – with acti vists joining our initiative in Germany, Benelux, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Ice land. GOCC volunteers fundraise across the US and in Mexico! Out of 1,700 Collection Centres registered annually, there are almost 100 hubs working abroad.

Local Initiative - Global Impact

Even though our main objective has always been supporting Polish public healthcare, and Polish ex-pat community is the main driving force behind the fun draiser, Grand Finale is an excellent addition to a com munity calendar. First and foremost, it is a great way to meet new people, experience Polish culture and strengthen a vibrant, diverse community. Grand Finale events become a showcase for Polish music, cuisine, and hospitality. With a thousand different events, such as raffles, concerts, competitions, and sporting activi ties taking place across the globe, everyone can find something to fit their taste.

Collection Centres are all grassroots initiatives and to put out a series of fun community events, they rely on the support of local authorities and businesses. Every little initiative helps – a friendly venue or a great catering company whish is ready to offer their services free of charge can help our volunteers to go that extra mile to create a fanatstic fundraiser for all community to enjoy!

Our medical initiatives

Nationwide Programme for Prevention and Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

We launched this initiative in 2001. We opened and equipped 21 specialist laser therapy centres allowing the diagnosis and treatment of children whose retina has been damaged due to premature birth. The Foundation equipped all hospitals in Poland with ophthalmoscopes (devices used to see inside the fundus of the eye) and laser devices. In total we have purchased 225 devices for nearly PLN 17.5 million.

Nati onwide Programme for New-born Hearing Screening

We launched this initiative in 2002. All children born in Poland have their hearing tested for free. The tests allow medical professionals to diagnose any hearing defects at a very early stage and take action as fast as it is possible. Sin ce 2002 we have been able to finance the hearing tests for over 7,082,766 new-born babies!

Nationwide Program me for Non-invasive Respiratory Support of New-borns

We la u nched this initiative in 2003. Our goal is to lower the number of cases in which mechanical ventilation of premature babies and new-borns is necessary. Mechani cal ventilation often leads to severe pulmonary compli cations, whereas, a non-invasive method does not requi re for the infant to be intubated. It is also safe to use on even the smallest new-borns. For 325 neonatal wards in Poland, we bought 810 devices to overhaul the system of breathing support in neonatal care in Poland!

Nationwide Programme for Early Cancer Diagnosis in Children

We launched this initiative in 2009. This medical programme aims to create a nationwide system of an early cancer diagnosis for young patients. To achieve this, we equipped cancer diagnostics centres and oncology wards. Your donations allowed us to establish 80 cancer diagnosis centres across the country. We also equipped a sophisticated ONCOLAB with devices worth PLN 2,000,000. Our biggest single purchase to date was PET-CT scanner for PLN 16,000,000 donated to Memorial Children’s Hospital in Warsaw. An early cancer diagnosis is detrimental in establishing a successful treatment plan.

Nationwide Programme for Treating Limb Defects in Children

We launched this initiative in 2017. We want to ensure that children born with limb defects have access to modern and effective treatment at Polish hospitals. We have equi pped Specialist Orthopaedic Clinics in Poznań and Warsaw in devices such as Taylor Spatial Frames, and Modular Rail System sets.

Pr ogramme for Paediatric Rheumatic Diseases Diagnostics

We launched this initiative in 2019. This new initiative aims to equip Paediatric Rheumatology Centres with medical equipment, ensuring that all children have access to pro fessional treatment and care. We have bought sophistica ted ultrasound systems for 14 Rheumatology Centres. We have also donated low-field MRI scanners to the three le ading treatment centres. Overall, we donated 38 devices. We also aim to raise awareness and educate parents and doctors about children’s rheumatic disease symptoms and treatment.

Nationwide Programme for Personal Insulin Pump Treatment of Pregnant Women with Diabetes

We launched this initiative in 2004. Since 2004 we have purchased 1,892 modern personal insulin pumps which are available for rent. Individual insulin pumps make managing diabetes easier and less stressful, which is more conducive for a healthy pregnancy. Insulin pumps are rented free of charge.

Nationwide Programme for Personal Insulin Pump Treatment of Children with Diabetes

We terminated this programme in 2008 when a state-run medical programme replaced our initiative. Our charity purchased insulin pumps which gave children a chance for a simpler and more active life despite diabetes.

We sup port different branches of medicine

Even th ough we are best known for our annual fundrai sing drive, our charity works all year-round to ensure that children in Polish hospitals receive the best possible care.

We h ave donated equipment for:

Paediat ric Oncology & Haematology

Paediatric Cardiac Surgery

Paediatric Nephrology

Paediatric Anaesthesiology & Neonatal Intensive Care

Neonatal Surgery

Paediatric Gastroenterology

Paediatrics

Neonatology

Paediatric Traumatology & Orthopaedic Surgery

Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics

Paediatric Urology

Paediatric Diabetology

Paediatric Ophthalmology

Paediatric Pulmonology

Paediatric Rheumatology

Geriatrics

Children’s and Young Adults’ Psychiatric Care

Children’s and young people’s mental health services

The conditions at facilities where children and young peo ple can receive help with mental health issues are appalling. There are shortages when it comes to some of the essential pieces of furniture and equipment. Alarmed by the condi tions at these hospitals, we decided to use the money we raised in our 1% tax return charitable drive to provide imme diate help for psychiatric wards. We raised PLN 8,764,075.23 (over EUR 1,919,253).

We have bought equipment and furniture for hospital wards across the country.

34 wards for children and young adults received the following: 798 hospital beds (equipped in mattresses and two sets of bed linen)

510 comfy seats for therapy rooms

37 wards for children and young adults received the following: 190 specialised psychological tests used to diagnose the youngest patients and specialized training for 2 specialists from each ward 246 specialised psychological tests used to diagnose the youngest patients and specialized training for 2 specialists from each ward

We have also found out that the public made notice of the state of mental health services in the country. 80% of respondents we asked in our poll on the conditions of Polish psychiatric help believe that the conditions at wards for chil dren must be improved. What is more, 90% of respondents believe that there should be a qualified psychologist wor king at every school in the country.

Love Heals

One of the critical factors in a child’s treatment and recovery is emotional comfort, stability, and stress-free environment and that’s why parents, guardians and loved ones need to be present by the little patient’s bedside.

The Foundation’s board committed to change adverse condi tions at paediatric wards and purchase recliners, chairs and fold-up beds to be used by parents staying by their children’s bedsides.

We bought and donated 5,443 recliners and chairs as well as 323 nursing chairs which will serve parents staying with their children at hospitals across the country.

We know that love heals, so we are aiming to transform Polish hospitals into places where comfort and modern technology can bring healing to children in need!

We help children with disabilities

Even though our main focus is on purchasing medical equipment for Polish hospitals, we could not stay indifferent to the needs of individuals. Therefore, we decided to finance the purchase of rehabilitation equipment for children and young adults (under 26 years of age) with disabilities. Since 2005 we purchased the ne cessary equipment for 7,355 children for PLN 30 millions. Each year we consider hundreds of individuals’ requests to make sure the equipment is delivered to those who most need it. In 2022 alone, we bought PLN 893,829.54 worth of equipment for 218 children.

Dignified care for the elderly

Our attention has been drawn to the dire condition of geriatric and long-term care units in Polish hospitals. These wards were in a desperate situation – lacking not only high-tech medical equipment but also some of the essential fur nishings. Our charity decided to take up the challenge and ensure that elderly patients receive medical care in dignified conditions.

We have collected funds for geriatrics 5 times - in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. We donated 13,642 devices worth over PLN 99,000,000 (over EUR 23,000,000) to 314 medical facilities in Poland.

We donated:

beds

anti-bedsore mattresses

wheelchairs

patient lifts

bath chairs

Unfortunately, the fate of this branch of medicine has been threatened – the government decided to withdraw geriatric wards from the National Health Fund financing system.

Fighting crises

We take action wherever it is necessary, therefore, in Novem ber 2021 we opened the Humanitarian Aid Point in Michałowo in response to the dramatic situation at the Polish-Bela rusian border. For 85 days of its activity, the Humanitarian Aid Point provided volunteers and activists working to help refugees stranded in the forests of the Polish-Belarussian border zone with 17,000 food supplies, over 40,000 medical items, over 2,500 items of clothing, including shoes, and over 1,500 camping items.

We also took immediate action after Russia’s brutal attack on Ukraine and purchased medical equipment for our neighbours. Until November 2022 we have pledged over PLN 23,000,000 to aid Ukraine. We bought devices and disposables for Ukrainian hospitals as well as Polish medi cal facilities admitting refugees. We purchasaed – among others - heart monitors, ventilators, anaesthetic machines, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, USG, ECG, professio nal first aid kits, and we also delivered wheelchairs.

Until November 2022, we have supported 19 medical faci lities in 15 different locations in Ukraine: Uzhhorod, Rivne, Ternopil, Lutsk, Chervonohrad, Novovolynsk, Kyiv, Odesa, Yavoriv, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Fran kivsk, and Kharkiv.

In March 2022, we have teamed up with the Warsaw City Co uncil to establish a shelter for Ukrainians arriving at the War saw East railway station. We ran the second aid point on the border crossing of Shegini, where many Ukrainian refugees were fleeing to Poland.

An ambulance for Kharkiv

Upon the request of the Kharkiv ambulance station, we pur chased a fully-equipped type B ambulance. The purchase of the ambulance was made possible thanks to the generosity of the UPS Company and tennis player Hubert Hurkacz. The total value of the vehicle, including its equipment, is PLN 684,972.49. We delivered the ambulance to the Polish-Ukra inian border for a handover on 16 November 2022.

Get Even with Diabetes

The key element of living with diabetes is managing insulin intake, so having reliable information about the sugar content is extremely important. We’ve teamed up with food manufacturers, who pledged to put relevant nutritional information on food packaging. It makes it much easier to calculate blood sugar levels on the go.

Charitable run

We hold a charitable race which helps us raise awareness and money for the purchase of personal insulin pumps for pregnant women with diabetes. The main event takes place in Warsaw, where 5,000 runners participate in a 5K race. Money raised through the sale of starter packs goes towards the purchase of personal insulin pumps. The virtual edition of the 2022 race – when everyone anywhere could participate in our run attracted close to 9,000 runners – who had one goal – to show their support of people living with diabetes and promote healthy lifestyle! Participants came from 28 countries, and overall they have covered the distance of 76,000 kilometres which equals to 723,809 football pitches!

Thanks to the money raised at the Get Even with Diabetes Race we were able to buy 272 insulin pumps for pregnant women with diabetes.

CPR for Schools – our educational initiative

The initiative was launched in 2006. We want to introduce universal CPR and first aid education to all primary pupils. We organise free training courses. Our qualified instructors show primary school teachers all they need to know about CPR and teaching first aid to their young pupils. We also provide books and teaching aids to schools taking part in the initiative, so that children from primary schools nationwide have access to free, universal first aid and CPR education! 30,763 teachers took part in the training 12,593 schools participate in the programme 91% of schools in the country participate in the educational initiative almost 3,000,000 children learned CPR

Learning CPR can be fun

We want to promote first aid and CPR knowledge, so we hold two events aiming to show how easy and fun it is to learn CPR.

Break the Record in a Simultaneous CPR session is a nationwide event, held in aid of World Restart a Heart Day. We want to promote CPR knowledge everywhere by encouraging organisations and individuals to take part in a simultaneous CPR session. To date, 661,213 people joined our initiative!

GOCC Landmarks Across the Country

BRIDGES

Barczewo

Bydgoszcz Darłowo Dziwnów Ostróda

MURALS

The Hague Łódź Słubice

CITY SQUARES

Włocławek Jastrzębie Zdrój Ciechanów Gostyń Kraków Łódź Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski Poznań

PLAQUE

Zielona Góra

STATUES

ROUNDABOUTS

Biała Podlaska

Chełm

Dzierżoniów Gorzów Wielkopolski Gryfice Jaworzno Jelenia Góra Kielce Kołobrzeg Konin Kostrzyn nad Odrą Kórnik Rawicz Rokietnica Skarżysko-Kamienna Sosnowiec Szczecinek Trzcianka Warszawa Wrocław Zduńska Wola

BRIDGES

Darłowo Ostróda Barczewo

Marian – statue of a seagull representing a GOCC volunteers in Kołobrzeg

HOSPITAL UNITS

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Biała Podlaska

Newborn Pathology and Intensive Care Center in Biała Podlaska

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Bochnia

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Cieszyn

Newborns, Pathology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Elbląg

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit in Gdańsk

Neonatal Ward with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Lublin

Central Genetics Research and Testing Laboratory ONCOLAB, Oncology and Haematology and Diabetology Clinic in Łódź

Neonatology Unit in Kraków

Neonatal Unit in Ostrów Wielkopolski

Neonatal Instensive Care Unit in Warsaw

Southern Hospital Neonatal Ward in Warsaw

STREETS

ul. Wielkiej Orkiestry Świątecznej Pomocy in Mińsk Mazowiecki

PARKS

The GOCC Park in Jabłonowo Pomorskie

Ambulances for children’s hospitals

Our charity donated 39 ambulances to hospitals across the country. 3 out of these ambulances were purchased for funds raised during the Great Football Games held in the years 2017-2019. Emergency vehicles were donated to hospitals in:

Częstochowa Dąbrowa Białostocka Drawsko Pomorskie Gdańsk Lesko Limanowa Mława Sieradz Sochaczew Terespol Wyrzysk Zamość Żary Żywiec Lębork Łódź Rzeszów Szczecin Warszawa Wrocław Kraków Przemyśl Kostrzyn nad Odrą Ostrów Wielkopolski Elbląg Płońsk Białystok Ustrzyki Dolne Poznań

Members of Peace Patrol are volunteers trained in first aid and event health & safety. Peace Patrol volunteers participate in two significant events – Grand Finale charitable fundraiser and Pol’and’Rock Festival, and they are assigned with different tasks.

Peace Patrol is open to everyone willing to meet new people, learn new skills, and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. To become a festival steward and join the Patrol, you must first take part in a weekend training in our volunteer training centre in Szadowo-Młyn.

Other initiatives and humanitarian actions

We aim to go far beyond supporting medicine in Poland, engaging in different humanitarian initiatives and working on other platforms:

In 1997 we organised 156 aid convoys, which brought supplies to flood-stricken regions of southern Poland.

In 1999 we organised a medical convoy for Albanian refugees.

In 2005 we purchased medical equipment for tsunami-stricken hospitals in Sri Lanka. We supplied five hospitals with much-needed devices.

In 2006 we supported Polish Firefighting Services.

In 2010 we organised ”Small Finale” themed ”Stop Floods!”. The funds were raised in aid of Polish Voluntary Firefighting Services enabling us to equip 564 units.

In 2012 we donated 100 ”Braille typewriters” for blind pupils from Kibeho school in Rwanda.

In 2017 we have bought equipment for volunteer firefighters. We donated devices to 178 volunteer firefighting crews.

In 2019 we launched our anti-hate and anti-bullying campaign with the nation’s Ombudsman.

In 2020 we began our emergency initiative to support the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. We donated equipment for nearly PLN 70,000,000.

In 2021 we created an outdoor billboard campaign to announce the result of our fundraising initiative and to thank all medics for their work and commitment.

In November 2021, we extended our support for the activists and medics working to help migrants at the border between Poland and Belarus by opening a Humanitarian Aid Point in Michałowo.

In March 2022, the GOCC Foundation has teamed up with the Warsaw City Council to establish a shelter for Ukrainians arriving at the Warsaw East railway station. We run the second aid point on the border crossing of Shegini, where many Ukrainian refugees were fleeing to Poland.

In 2022, while announcing the result of the 30th Grand Finale Fundrasier in the spirng, we presented a book “Mój pierwszy raz z WOŚP” [Eng. “My first time with the GOCC Foundation”] on the idea of helping created by the GOCC community.

Pol’and’Rock Festival is the largest non-commercial music and arts festival in Europe.

Yes, there are no tickets and concerts are all FREE!

Formerly known as Woodstock Festival Poland, this massive event drew inspiration from the famous Woodstock Music and Arts Fair in 1969. The festival, held in Poland since 1994, continued to nurture the ideals of peace, love, and friendship, becoming a cult event in Central Europe.

Festival line-up is a vibrant mixture of emerging talent from all over the world and ultimate festival headliners, taking over two festival stages. We also make sure to promote cultural, educational, and social awareness campaigns.

The festival hosts dozens of NGOs which present their initiatives and teach the festival-goers about their mission. The spheres of activities span from sports and recreation to human rights, equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. The Academy of the Finest of Arts hosts meetings with esteemed public figures, authorities in different fields: scientists, travellers, activists and artists.

The Most Beautiful Festival in the World WE BELIEVE IN LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, AND MUSIC!

In line with our tradition, in gratitude for volunteers’ engagement in organising the Grand Finale, we hold the Pol’and’Rock Festival in the summer.

The Pol’and’Rock Festival is, above all, a great musical adventure, during which the sounds of rock’n’roll (but not only!) release a message and an appeal for friendship, love, and peace in the air. The 28th edition of the festival, remaining faithful to its fundamental values, took the form of a huge peaceful manifastation with the main message: NO WAR! The festival community had a chance to express its strong opposition to unjustified aggression in the name of brotherhood, tolerance and peace, and to show solidarity and full support for fighting Ukraine.

The line-up of the event included the performances of Ukrainian bands (combining the elements of Polish and Ukrainian cultures - DAGADANA, and a metal group - Jinjer, at the concert of which our audience raised the flag of Ukraine). One of the Academy of the Finest of Arts meetings was a discussion on the job of a war correspondent with Wojciech Bojanowski and Marcin Wyrwał. NGOs also held a debate on human rights with regard to the current situation in Ukraine and talked about the attitude towards receiving refugees in Poland. Moreover, the scenography of our Main Stage, as well as multiple merch designs referred to the main theme of the event “NO WAR!”.

The spirit of love and peace reached far beyond the grounds of Czaplinek-Broczyno Airfield through online livestreams from our concerts and the AFA meetings. Those festivalgoers who could not arrive at the festival field had the change to follow us online even from the most distant corners of the globe, i.a. Ukraine, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Mexico, Canada, the USA, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Iceland, the Philippines, Peru, Malaysia, the Ivory Coast or Morocco!

Pol’and’Rock Festival is, undoubtedly, an event of a great cultural importance. Our vibrant stages hosted 41 Polish and international bands (including Wolf Alice, Skindred, Clutch, Laura Cox, Stake, GWAR, Me And That Man, Spięty, Sztywny Pal Azji, Strachy na Lachy, Kwiat Jabłoni or Organek).

The 29th Pol’and’Rock Festival will play again at the Czaplinek-Broczyno Airport between 3-5 August 2023.

ZŁOTY MELON RECORDS

Złoty Melon Company [Eng. Golden Melon Company], in which the GOCC Foundation holds 100% shares, is the executive producer of Pol’and’Rock Festivals and Grand Finales, as well as a publisher of Polish rock music live records. All publications of Złoty Melon are characterized by a high-quality sound, assembly and unique design. Graphic designs of each cover are created by a team of graphic designers led by Jurek Owsiak.

Złoty Melon has released over 80 records so far - it is the largest collection of live music records on the Polish market.

One of the greatest successes of Złoty Melon is the record of the legendary Polish band - Kult, released together with S.P RECORDS, from their Kostrzyn nad Odrą concert during the 25th Pol’and’Rock Festival. For 22 weeks, the record stayed on the top of the OLiS chart until it was covered with double platinum.

OUR MEDIA

Follow Kręcioła YouTube channel for the latest updates about our charity and live music videos from Pol’and’Rock Festival and behind-the-scenes interviews with the stars. There are almost 100 concerts available to watch for FREE on our YouTube channel! In total, you have already watched tens of millions of hours of the most colourful festival memories on the KręciołaTV channel!

youtube.com/kreciolatv Look for @kreciolatv online!

Pol’and’Rock Radio

Boasting the biggest collection of music recorded live, our internet radio is the best destination for rock music lovers eve rywhere! Listen online: radiopolandrock.pl

You can also find interviews and festival playlists at our Pol’and’Rock Spotify channel!

Szadowo-Młyn

For adults

For kids