Public’s support has beekeeper buzzing again
DONATIONS HELP HIM RECOVER AFTER FIRE DESTROYED HIVES
A BEEKEEPER has told of his difficult times after he lost more than one million bees in a dreadful fire - and how the tragedy turned into a blessing because of a touching community gesture.
Mariusz Chudy, who has been a beekeeper for more than 30 years, said he was heartbroken when he discovered his hives surrounded by petrol and burnt to the ground at one of his sites in Kinoulton, Rushcliffe.
Earlier this year, the 52-year-old from Sneinton said he was “hit by a strong smell of petrol” before discovering the appalling scene at 6pm on August 21.
He could not believe his eyes when he saw that three of his 20 hives were completely destroyed, and three others partially burned.
A police investigation was launched at the time, and the incident was described as a “deliberate cruel act which has clearly left the owner devastated”.
Mr Chudy’s devastating story reached hundreds of people who offered to help him restore “the work of his life”.
The incident prompted a huge response from the local community, and a fundraising page was set up for him reaching £7,593 in donations from 556 people.
The final amount handed over was £7,200 once the automatic online fees had been deducted.
Now, he said that he plans to buy 40 more hives in May next year to expand his business.
Mr Chudy told the Post: “I was devastated because beekeeping is my whole life. It was hard for me to think that I will ever be able to have so many hives again.
“I was completely heartbroken - but then the community gave me the hope back.
“I will extend my business and start to work with more people on fruit farms as well.
“I have not been myself because I am a beekeeper - that is what I do.”
Mr Chudy has been the frontman of the family-run business Golden Drops since 1994.
He is a master beekeeper, and built all the hives by himself.
His daughter Alexandra Chudy, 20, who just finished her Masters, said that the incident affected their family because “beekeeping is one of the most important things for him.”
She added: “We could not fully understand the magnitude of his loss because we are not beekeepers.
“But he was very sad - he was not himself. Beekeeping means a lot to him - and losing it was a tragedy for him.
“It seems like we managed to turn a tragedy into a blessing.”
The cheque was handed over to Mariusz in October.
Steve Mayfield, who set up the fundraising page, added: “I was a customer and heard about his story right after it happened.
“I thought that was a tragedy, and so many people were touched by it as well - and I thought that would be the best way to do it.”
Mr Mayfield, who is a teacher from Gedling, 37, added: “Our target was £500 but we reached over £7000.
“Obviously it is very important for Mariusz and he was very grateful, but for him it is not about the money - it is about the time and effort that he put in.
“And seeing so many people coming together for this cause was overwhelming.”
I was completely heartbroken - but then the community gave me the hope back.
Mariusz Chudy