One farmer’s massive act of kindness in the face of the escalating crisis in Ukraine has sparked a huge community reaction across Ayrshire and beyond.

Bryce Cunningham, from Mossgiel Farm in Mauchline, put out an appeal on social media asking people to consider donating items to help people fleeing their homes in the face of the Russian invasion.

And Bryce admitted that he had been overwhelmed by the response from members of the public – with the farm eventually having to call a halt to donations because they had no more room to store them.

Bryce told the Chronicle: “I saw an article with a father kissing his 15-month-old daughter goodbye before he went back to fight for Ukraine and I thought to myself, that could be the last time that family sees each other. 

“I have a child at the same age and it really resonated with me.” 

The hardest part of a plan like this is the implementation of carrying out the drop-off but with the farm’s social media reach they had the infrastructure to stage it. 

However, the turn out was bigger than even Bryce could have imagined. 

He said: “We have a massive social media following so getting the word out regarding the drop-off was never going to be an issue.

“We set out the goal to fill one articulated lorry. After six hours we had enough to fill one lorry and now we have enough goods to fill three or four. 

“We received so much that we have actually had to stop receiving donations because we have no more room to store more goods.” 

The next issue that Bryce faces is getting the goods to the refugee camps and the distribution of the donations. 

He said: “The first lorry left on Monday morning and has made it across the Channel with no issues so far. 

“The second lorry is scheduled to leave on Friday but we are trying to liaise with Red Cross, because this is something they are experts in. 

“This is much bigger than us and getting the help from the charity to reach the refugee camps and get the donations to those affected would be invaluable.” 

Bryce’s MP Alan Brown said: “This is a fantastic initiative from Bryce and all those at Mossgiel Farm.

“Although in the last week we have seen some truly horrifying scenes in Ukraine, I have to say the solidarity and heartfelt acts from people across the constituency and further afield is fantastic.”

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP Elena Whitham added: “My heart was full to see our communities collectively come together over the last few days to gather vital supplies that filled first Mossgiel Milk’s Snug in Mauchline and then Saxen furniture’s warehouses in Newmilns and just outside Mossblown.”