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Jeremy Clarkson supports local Ukrainian beekeeper’s appeal
09/04/2022
The TV presenter and star of Clarkson’s Farm shared a video in support of Viktor Zaichenko
Jeremy Clarkson has given his support to a fund-raising campaign by a beekeeper from Hook Norton, who wants to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Viktor Zaichenko looks after the bees on Jeremy’s own Diddly Squat Farm and is himself Ukrainian.
Mr Zaichenko is trying to raise thousands of pounds to get access to armoured vehicles that can help those that remain in his country.
In a message posted online the TV presenter and star of Clarkson’s Farm talked about Mr Zaichenko’s family and friends needing help from “behind Russian lines”.
Mr Clarkson said: “Sorry to barge in here like this, but Viktor the ‘bee man’ at Diddly Squat farm is Ukrainian. He’s got a lot of family and friends who are stuck there and need our help.
“You can donate money which will help them buy vehicles that they need to evacuate people who are stuck behind Russian lines.
“I can hardly believe I’m saying this in Europe today, but anyway, they are stuck, they need to get them out.
“So pickup trucks, anything they can get their hands on. That’s what they need the money for. Please, please help, if you can.”
Mr Zaichenko was born and raised in Ukraine. He took his degree in Kyiv and despite moving to the UK in 2001 has kept contact with his friends in Ukriane, some of whom are now involved in organising the evacuation of civilians caught up in the invasion by Russian forces.
He said: “Me and my wife Lucy are helping with the war efforts in any possible way. Not long ago, my friend Ura asked me if I would be able to help them with armoured 4×4 pick ups that can be used in search and rescue missions to evacuate civilians in the most dangerous and difficult areas to reach.”
So far the fund raising appeal has achieved over £31,500.
Mr Zaichenko expressed his gratitude to those helping him here in the UK, including Jeremy Clarkson and the staff at the farm. He said: “We are immensely grateful to have the support of our friends here in the UK: Jeremy, Lisa and the wonderful team at Diddly Squat who have promised to help us with sourcing the vehicles that we need, and maybe find us some brave drivers who will deliver them over the Ukranian border too.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam