Farmers step up to raise funds for two essential charities

Farmers from Shropshire and neighbouring counties gathered at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Tuesday (7 April) to mark its 20th anniversary while raising funds for Lingen Davies Cancer Support.

Farmers contributed in a variety of ways, including donating proceeds from sheep, cattle and calf sales, as well as making cash contributions.

Funds raised will support the Sunflower Appeal, which aims to establish a cancer centre with 30 chemotherapy bays at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital by 2029.

See also: Farmers plan Land’s End to John O’Groats charity bike ride

Donations from the weekly market are still being counted, with nearly £1,000 already collected in buckets.

Contributions will be matched by Telford & Wrekin Council, up to a value of £250,000, increasing the total impact.

The event was organised following an idea by farmer Stuart Ashley.

He said: “It has been an amazing day. All sections of the market have been well supported by farmers.

“The biggest things I am taking away are the stories of why farmers have donated and how important today has been.

“There have been some great prices paid for donated livestock, and farmers have donated money into buckets.”

Angela Hill, a community fundraiser who previously received treatment, said: “Farmers turned out in droves to support the market, and many wonderful stories about the support they and members of their families have received at the Lingen Davies Centre were told.”

Motor neurone disease

Members of the Raughton head YFC fundraising team © The Messenger Family

In a separate initiative, young farmers in Cumbria have raised more than £300,000 for motor neurone disease in memory of dairy farmer Richard Messenger, who died aged 53 after being diagnosed with the illness.

Fundraising has been led by Raughton Head Young Farmers’ Club alongside friends from the farming community, organising a series of endurance challenges and events.

These included “Many Miles for MND”, which saw participants run, cycle and row 1,222 miles in 24 hours, the equivalent of travelling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

The group also completed “Many Mountains for MND”, climbing all 214 Wainwrights within 24 hours.

Many mountains- for MND © The Messenger Family

Additional fundraising activities have ranged from milk cheque donations and farm events to auctions, a vintage car drive and “Messy’s Moo’s”, which featured participants in fancy dress taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

The campaign has brought together farmers and supporters across the region, contributing to the overall total raised in Richard Messenger’s memory.