Beloved rare-breed heifer to be auctioned in memory of owner
© Chris Jeffrey A rare-breed cow named Primrose is set to be auctioned off on Tuesday (31 January), to raise money for the hospice that cared for her owner.
The Whitebred Shorthorn is one of only 200 in the world and is owned by Chris Jeffery and his late wife, Kate, who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this month.
Chris, who is known as Farmer Chris from his television appearances on Channel 5Star’s Celebs On The Farm, is passionate about rare-breed conservation, and Primrose was his wife’s favourite in the herd.
See also: Royal Marines to deliver mental health training to Scotland’s ag sector
The breeding heifer will be heading to Thirsk Cattle Market along with a further six heifers and five bulls, with the hope of raising hundreds of pounds for St Leonard’s Hospice in York.
Chris said: “Everyone who I dealt with at St Leonards was so caring, compassionate and kind.
“It means a lot to me. I still can’t believe Kate has gone – we’ve been together for so long, working every day as not just husband and wife, but also business partners.”
Receiving care at their home in Easingwold, Kate adored the farm, where she and Chris also cared for rare-breed pigs and sheep.
“The final three weeks of her life were truly awful, but the carers from St Leonard’s were so kind, reliable, compassionate and lovely people,” said Chris
“Kate then went into the hospice, where everyone I met was so caring to me and my wife. I just don’t know what we would have done without that place.
“I was able to step back and become her husband again.”
Chris will be at the auction with collection buckets to raise additional funds for the hospice, which relies solely on public funding.