Ukraine war: Hampshire farmers support Chernobyl charity

Farmers in Hampshire are encouraging the industry to get behind an appeal to help rural families torn apart by the Ukraine war.

The Lavender Fields, run by Nick and Lyndsay Butler, and Barn-Store Alton, a self-storage business run by the Butler family, are both based at Hartley Park Farm near Selborne, Alton.

One of their tenants is Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline (CCLL), a local British charity run by a small group of dedicated staff and a huge network of volunteers that helps support child victims of the Chernobyl disaster.

See also: How Ukraine war will impact its farming – agronomist’s view

CCLL’s chief executive Dennis Vystavkin told Farmers Weekly he was extremely worried about health concerns for people living near the former Chernobyl nuclear plant after radiation levels spiked following increased movement of Russian military vehicles around the site.

Mr Vystavkin said the charity was reviewing the situation on the ground in Ukraine and would be launching a fresh appeal for help on its website (www.ccll.org.uk) and Facebook page (@CCLLCharity) in the coming days.

They will be asking rural communities in Chernobyl and surrounding areas what they need most. This could include tinned food, clothing, sanitary supplies and even delivery of farm machinery.

Barns cleared

The Butlers and Ben Robinson, a mixed farmer from Newmer Farm, Upper Wield, Alresford have offered to give barn space for storage of the goods before they are transported to the Polish or Romanian border. From there, they will be taken to people in need near Chernobyl and elsewhere in Ukraine.

“Over the past two to three years, Ukraine became one of the biggest grain exporters in the world,” said Mr Vystavkin.

© Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline

“This week, farmers have been sending me photos showing the horrific aftermath of huge explosions from Russian bombs, which have sent mushroom clouds into the sky.

“The devastation is hitting people who are confined to their cellars. They’ve made traditional bunkers and that’s where they keep their potatoes, carrots, pickles and water. This is the place they are sitting now.”

© Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline

Mr Vystavkin said in early to mid-March farmers in the Chernobyl area will start spreading manure on fields and then drill crops in April, or later, depending on the weather.

“If they don’t get their seeds into the ground, it will be tragic for their communities,” he added.

Chernobyl appeal

Farmer Simon Butler has held fundraising activities for CCLL for more than five years.

“The family and our two businesses have been long-term supporters of the charity, including our Red 35 appeal last year to commemorate the Chernobyl disaster, after seeing the amazing work Dennis and the charity do with tiny resources and mainly volunteers,” he said.

“They spend their own time and money to help make it happen in very difficult circumstances and making such a difference to so many who are forgotten and ignored by so many.”

Mr Butler said like farmers, CCLL was working against the odds to deliver for people and the bulk of their work was for farmers and rural areas outside cities. 

“They aren’t just doing this now in time of war again, they are in it for the long term. We are proud to be associated with such a worthy organisation,” he added.