Metal bull to raise funds for heart and MND charities
© Neil Shaefer
A County Durham farmer is taking a metal sculpture of a bull on tour this summer to raise money for two charities, after health problems forced him to step back from day-to-day farm work.
Steven Nesbitt, of Alwent Hall Farm and Holiday Lodges near Winston, began creating animal skeleton sculptures from metal chain while recovering from a period of ill-health.
Known in the North East livestock sector as an experienced stockman, Mr Nesbitt first made a model of a Hungarian Racka sheep, a rare breed kept on the farm, before progressing to larger pieces.
See also: Farmers step up to raise funds for two essential charities
His latest and most ambitious creation is a life-sized metal bull, which will visit agricultural events and livestock markets across the UK before being auctioned later this year.
Labour of love
Mr Nesbitt, who is president of the British Charolais Cattle Society, said the project helped keep him occupied during recovery.
“I had some heart problems so while I took a break from farming activities. I wanted to keep myself occupied as part of my recovery, so began using chain metal to make animal skeletons,” he said.
He added that it became a real labour of love, which he is now looking forward to sharing with as many people as possible over the coming months.
The fundraising tour will support the British Heart Foundation and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Tour stops
The sculpture’s first stop will be Darlington Farmers Auction Mart on 16 May, followed by appearances at The Great British Farm Fest at Stoneleigh Park from 20-22 May, and Cereals 2026 at Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire on 10-11 June.
The tour will conclude at the Stirling Bull Sales in Scotland on 24 October, where the sculpture will be auctioned, with half of the proceeds split between the two charities.
Additional fundraising will take place through competitions inviting visitors to guess the bull’s weight and the amount of chain used in its construction.
“Because it’s something different, I am hoping we can raise tens of thousands of pounds for these two amazing charities – and who knows, perhaps Jeremy Clarkson will like it so much he will put in a bid to have it at Diddly Squat,” Mr Nesbitt said.
