School children in Alton and surrounding villages are writing letters, sending school bags and raising money for Ukrainian children and their education. 

St Lawrence (Alton), Greatham, Selborne and Binsted primary school have all participated.

And now the KIDZ 4 KIDZ appeal is asking all 58 schools in East Hampshire to get involved.

Students from St Lawrence CE Primary School with Simon and Nick Butler.
Students from St Lawrence CE Primary School with Simon and Nick Butler. (St Lawrence CE Primary School)

The appeal is run by brothers Simon and Nick Butler, owners and farmers at Hartley Park Farm near Selborne.

Their tenant CCLL – The Helping Hand for Ukraine charity is based at the farm.

Simon says: “With the war and Covid, some of the children have missed more than four years schooling so it's vital for them and the future of Ukraine to get their education back on track.

“The aim of the campaign was to get schools and school children in East Hampshire to fundraise and send school bags to be sent to children in Ukraine alongside medicals and other essential supplies.

“The school bags help provide school equipment and stationary and other necessities that children might need as they may have to do school on the move.”

St Lawrence has raised £400 and pupils have written letters to Ukrainian children, while Greatham has donated more than £150 with harvest festival collections.

Selborne has nominated Helping Hand as its charity of the year and Binsted is planning its own fundraiser.

Students from Selborne C of E Primary School with their teacher and Simon and Nick Butler.
Students from Selborne C of E Primary School with their teacher and Simon and Nick Butler (Selborne C of E Primary School )

The charity is looking for volunteer drivers to take a minibus over to Poland and back to drop off bags and supplies which will be delivered into Ukraine.

Children taking a school lesson in a shelter in Ukraine.
Children taking a school lesson in a shelter in Ukraine. (CCLL-The Helping Hand for Ukraine)