Aspiring young auctioneer raises funds for farming charities
Jack Walton with George Purves of United Auctions and Paul Tinson of RSABI at Stirling Agricultural Centre An aspiring auctioneer has embarked on an inventive fundraising initiative, visiting livestock markets across England and Scotland to raise money for rural charities.
School leaver Jack Walton aims to auction a pen of sheep at each market on his journey, with the sale commission for that pen being donated to the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
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He began his mission at Dingwall Market in the North Highlands on Tuesday 19 July and will visit 25 auction marts in total, finishing at Truro market on 7 September.
Jack’s upcoming visits
- Thursday 28 July – Knighton and then Kington
- Monday 1 August – St Boswells
- Wednesday 3 August – Scots Gap then to Wooler
- Monday 8 August – Carlisle
- Tuesday 9 August – Wigton
- Wednesday 10 – Penrith
- Thursday 11 August – Longtown
- Monday 15 August – Skipton
- Tuesday 16 August – Clithroe
- Wednesday 17 August – Worcester
- Monday 22 August – Rugby
- Tuesday 23 August – Stratford
- Wednesday 24 August – Hereford
- Thursday 25 August – Cirencester
- Thursday 1 September – Acklington
- Saturday 3 September – Sedgemoor
- Wednesday 7 September – Truro
Both welfare charities aim to support farming people in times of difficulty, be it through grants, equipment, household items, relief staff or training.
The money raised from the Scottish leg of the adventure will go towards RSABI’s current campaign, Help us help them, that aims to raise £150,000 to fight rural poverty.
At Stirling market on 21 July, Jack was joined by Paul Tinson from RSABI, who said: “Jack’s Journey is an incredibly innovative idea from this young man and a hugely welcome contribution to our latest fundraising campaign.”
“We are grateful to Jack and everyone involved at the various marts up and down the country,” Paul added.
Course in rural land management
Providing Jack gets the results he needs, he will begin studying rural land management at the Royal Agricultural University in September and eventually hopes to become a professional auctioneer.
“For as long as I can remember, I have loved attending livestock markets with my grandfather, and I was always itching to have a go from the rostrum,” said Jack.
“I am loving every minute of the adventure and the chance to raise awareness of agriculture with the wider public too as I continue my journey south.”
After Jack’s latest visit to the national show and sale of Suffolk sheep in Shrewsbury, he confirmed he has raised £1,641.25 so far.
You can find out more about Jack’s Journey on his blog and follow him on Twitter @waltjack71.
You can also sponsor his mission online.
