Farmer raises funds for Ukraine with Zelensky and Sunak help
Date of alert:
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Crime Ref:
Force:
Sussex Police
A Sussex farmer is raising money for war-torn Ukraine with the help of a unique painting signed by the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Arable farmer James Baird is passionate about helping the Ukrainian people, many of whom are from agricultural backgrounds.
He has previously welcomed 16 Ukrainian refugees into his home, and has completed several trips to the country with the charity Pick-ups for Peace to deliver vehicles and vital aid.
At a recent Ukrainian cultural day at Worthing Museum, James spotted a collection of paintings by an 11-year-old Ukrainian girl, Yaryna Zakaliuzhna, whose father was fighting on the front in the Donetsk region.
James was told the painting had already been sold, but he approached Yaryna’s mother and together they agreed that Yaryna would produce another painting to use to raise funds.
The money raised will go to support three organisations: the Antares Squadron, Hospitallers Medical Battalion, and Pick-ups for Peace, which donates used 4x4s from UK farmers to the Ukrainian military for use on the front line.
