Charity

Nearly 200 tractors are set to take part in this year’s Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run, with participants determined to hit the £1m fundraising mark in support of Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal.

A group of four farmers, who have all lost close friends to suicide, are travelling from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for mental health and cancer charities.

Pick-ups for Peace has now sent 104 vehicles to Ukraine’s eastern front, topping its initial target of 100 vehicles.

Building on evidence gained via RABI’s recent Big Farming Survey, the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has put forward urgent recommendations in its inquiry into poor mental health in rural communities, a move welcomed by the farming charity.

Two UK farming charities that have been working side by side, the Addington Fund and Forage Aid, have agreed to merge into one organisation to increase efficiency and offer much-needed support to more farmers through the charities’ combined networks.

The founders behind Pick-Ups for Peace originally set out to provide 100 vehicles, but it has become clear that limitless numbers are needed and – thanks to huge generosity of the British farming community and, increasingly other sectors – the group are confident enough that they can double that target to 200.

Charles Thompson, who tenant farms 450 acres of arable land near Hitchin, spoke to Farmers Guide about his recent trips to deliver pickup trucks and supplies to the front line in Ukraine, and his mission to find more vehicles to help the war effort.

A group of intrepid UK farmers are looking for support in their endeavour to supply 4×4 vehicles to the Ukrainian front line. Pick-ups for Peace are looking for at least 70 more 4×4 vehicles and drivers, as well as at least £70,000 to fund their transport to Ukraine.

Corteva Agriscience has donated more than $500,000 to support people in Turkey affected by the devastating earthquake.

Emma Ledbury, who lost half of her dairy herd to TB last year, was overwhelmed by support from Clarkson’s Farm fans and resolved to donate some of the funds to the mental health charity RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution).

Since losing his wife to ovarian cancer, Emyr Wigley has raised over £121,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Trust. Now, following a recent injury, he will sell his herd of 33 cattle on 4th March.

As part of the 6th annual Mind Your Head campaign, intended to raise awareness of deteriorating mental health in the agriculture sector, Farmers Guide spoke with two mental health charities about how pressures like avian flu and price increases have affected farmer well-being.