Farming charity, The Addington Fund, has launched a new initiative to help raise vital funds for farmers in need.
The funds will see sheep farmers donate live animals through auction markets around England and Wales.
The new scheme, titled Tup 1 Ewe, enables sheep farmers to nominate the sale proceeds of ewes or lambs to the charity when arriving at participating livestock markets around England and Wales, from September 2016.
"Farmers can donate a ewe and lamb or lambs or they can give the progeny of the ewe as a store or finished lamb," explains Ian Bell, Chief Executive, the Addington Fund.
"The proceeds will then be sent to the Addington Fund direct from the auctioneer and the funds raised will support farming families in the region of the market."
The Addington Fund, which offers a lifeline to farmers in desperate need of housing or emergency funds, has worked closely with the Livestock Auctioneers Association Council to formulate this new scheme and ensure it is convenient and workable on busy sale days.
'Much needed cause'
"We want to make donations easy and practical for the farming community," says Ian.
"Livestock farmers have always been incredibly supportive of our charity and this offers a new and unique method of giving money to a worthy and much needed cause.
"This predominately results in the Addington Fund working to provide housing for farmers who are forced to leave their homes," adds Ian.
"However, in certain counties, we also offer affordable housing to anyone currently working in, or retired from, an agricultural or a land based industry. A donation of just one animal could make a huge difference to someone’s future.
"The Livestock Auctioneers Association Council is backing this new campaign and we hope to add more markets to our list of participating partners in the coming months.
"Farmers should look out for details at their local market or ask their auctioneer," concludes Ian.
