Ulster Farmers' Union celebrates 100 years by raising over £50,000 for charity

The Ulster Farmers' Union has celebrated its 100 years of existence by raising more than £50,000 for the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.

The member-led organisation has promoted the farming industry through many challenges and political changes, including both World Wars and the partition of Ireland, as well as the BSE crisis in 1996 and the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001.

At present, the UFU is currently involved in securing a good deal for agriculture during the Brexit negotiations, seeking for solutions in relation to the border, trade deals, direct support and access to labour.

Last weekend, vintage farming techniques were the focus of attention at the UFU centenary weekend at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in County Down.

The event attracted crowds across the 2-day event, raising £6,337 for the Ulster Farmers' Union chosen charity, the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. The total amount raised so far is now over £50,000.

UFU President Ivor Ferguson said it is an "honour and a privilege" to be the President of the union.

“We have been defending the rights of farmers and promoting their interests since our formation in 1918 and we are as relevant now as we were back then. Producing good quality, affordable and traceable food means farming will always be a crucial industry as we serve the public in their daily need for food,” Mr Ferguson said.

'Farmers are the foundation'

Farming has always been an important part of Northern Ireland’s economy. Today Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry turns over £4.8billion annually and employs over 100,000 people.

Mr Ferguson added: “Farmers are the foundation of the agri-food industry. We take great pride in producing the high quality, safe, traceable, affordable food that consumers enjoy.”

“We are very grateful to Barclays for their kind sponsorship which helped us to run this anniversary event and commemorate our Centenary in such fitting fashion.

“We also want to pay tribute to those who donated generously to our Anniversary appeal for the Air Ambulance NI. It is our target this year to raise £100,000 for this life-saving local charity that is such a valuable asset to our rural communities.”