Fundraiser to help beekeeper set up after vandals set hives alight
A MILLION BEES ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE DIED IN THE ‘MALICIOUS ATTACK’
A BEEKEEPER whose hives were covered in petrol and burned has thanked “amazing” fundraising efforts to help him rebuild.
Mariusz Chudy, 52, was heartbroken when he discovered the “terrifying” scene at one of his sites in Kinoulton, Rushcliffe.
When he arrived at the site at 6pm on Saturday, three hives were completely destroyed and three others partially burned, which he claims resulted in the deaths of a million bees.
Petrol had also been poured all over the field according to the experienced beekeeper, who had 20 beehives in total.
“I haven’t really been able to think about anything else since the hives were burned,” he said.
“This fundraiser is a really good idea. I think it’s amazing.
“Of course the money won’t make up for all of my work that I put in by making everything for the bees myself by hand.
“I wasn’t thinking about the cost because I used recycled materials so it was more the time and energy put in that made it so devastating, but the money will help me to rebuild quicker.
“Its amazing when people are helping me with the colony, because for me this bee colony was like my family – it was terrible.
“I will use it for rebuilding the colony. I will be able to buy different materials.
“I’m very happy that people are giving me a hand. It’s nice to see people like what we do and it’s very helpful after what happened.”
The fundraiser was started on Monday with a target of £500.
It quickly reached more than the goal within two days of being posted.
Steven Mayfield, 37, from Gedling, who organised the fundraiser, said: “I was angry when I saw the ruined beehives. It was a despicable thing to do.
“Me and my partner have got a little baking business so we use a bit of his product and we already knew him.”
The teacher said he and others wanted to help Mr Chudy in any way they could.
He added: “The fact we’re also small business holders and because we’re decent humans we wanted to do something to help.
“That’s his life and the moment someone told us we asked around to raise some money.”
“We’ve had a really good response. It’s only took two days to reach the target.
“We know he builds his own stuff but we wanted to pay for his time as he rebuilds everything and gets it up and running.”
Thomas Rawlings, based at West Bridgford police station, confirmed the force was investigating the incident after police were called to reports of the attack around 6pm on Saturday at a site in Kinoulton, Rushcliffe.
He said: “This was a deliberate cruel act which has clearly left the owner devastated.
“This was wanton vandalism, a malicious attack which has resulted in the deaths of all these bees.
“I would urge anyone who has any information about the attack or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to please come forward and help us with our enquiries.
“People can ring 101 quoting incident number 515 of August 21.”