hermits Siberia

American couple want to take their prayers and assistance to Russian forest but need at least 720,000 roubles to reach Agafya Lykov’s remote home.

He chose to become a hermit for six months on the shore of Lake Baikal in deep winter, miles from the nearest town and city.

72 year old Agafya Lykova begged for help saying she was short of food.

Aged 71, she shuns civilisation and accepts a helicopter ride back to her home in remote Siberia, without a gun to protect her from bears.

Hermit Agafya Lykova to be sent urgent supplies this week to help her get through winter.

Agafya Lykova, 73, lives in home her father built when he secretly fled Stalin's religious persecution, vanishing from world in 1936.

For most of her life Agafya, 77, has lived as a peasant from the 18th century, guided by an old Bible.

Aged 68, she has never seen a town - and refused a helicopter ride to hospital.