Epic 3,700-mile cycle to raise thousands for farming charity

An epic cycle marathon across Britain kicked off today (20 June) with an ambitious aim of raising £100,000 for a charity that supports farmers through tough times.

In a tour stretching 3,700 miles, a plucky bunch of volunteers set off from the Houses of Parliament on the first leg of their relay, waved off by farming minister George Eustice.

Organised by the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), the route will take them down to the south-west before traversing East Anglia, pushing north to Scotland, sweeping across to Northern Ireland, then back over the Irish Sea into Wales, finishing at Stoneleigh Park in the West Midlands on 31 July.

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Richard Cooksley, one of the organisers, said: “The aim of the relay is to help raise awareness of the issues facing farmers, while at the same time raising funds to provide on-going support for all members of the farming community and their families.

“A significant number of businesses only exist because they serve the farming industry. With considerable economic and political pressures of farm businesses, our discussion turned to whether we could do something significant to support the farming industry – and the outcome is the cycle relay.”

All the cash raised will go to the Farming Community Network (FCN), a charity that helps more than 6,000 people each year in times of stress, anxiety and depression.

Funded entirely by donations, it costs about £1,500 a day to run the network. To make a donation to the GAFTA relay cycle marathon, head to the project’s JustGiving page.

Mr Eustice said: “The Farming Community Network provides farmers and their families with vital support in times of need. It’s fantastic to see so many people supporting such a worthwhile cause and I wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”