Events linked to NFU Scotland’s Centenary year have generated more than £40,000 for charity in the past four months.
The Union’s centenary celebrations started at its AGM, held in St Andrews in February and since that time a number of charity balls, raffles, auctions, suppers, stockjudgings and farm visits around the country have boosted the charity effort.
The list of national and local charities supported by NFUS events to date includes the Royal Highland Educational Trust; RSABI; Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland; Friends of Anchor; Charlie’s House; CLAN; The Samaritans, Macmillan Cancer Support; Marie Curie Cancer Trust and the Hansel Foundation.
Events have been held in the North East, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Forth and Clyde regions but with eight months of the Union’s centenary year to go, it is expected that forthcoming events will build on this already impressive total.
The Union’s own Centenary Trust has also benefited from the fund raising. The Trust – initially funded by a one-off voluntary contribution from members - made its first awards totalling more than £30,000, a few weeks ago. RHET Fife has already used some of that money to educate children on food and farming, supporting farm visits in Fife in recent days. The next round of applications to the Centenary Trust closes on 15 June.
NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller, who chairs the Centenary Trust, said:
“The energy, enthusiasm and effort that has been put in to organising events across Scotland has already made this Centenary year very special. The total charity fund raised at events so far is nothing short of incredible given how hard year it has been for farming and associated industries.
“The sums raised not only reflect the success and attention to detail in staging these events but also the support and generosity of the farming community. The support of farmers and the wider farming community is building a wonderful legacy. That is something we can be immensely proud of.”
Notes to Editors
- In its Centenary Year, charity fundraising has taken place at the following events:
- NFU Scotland Centenary AGM, St Andrews
- NFUS Ayrshire Region and Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club Centenary Supper
- Stewartry Branch Centenary Stockjudging, Dalbeattie
- Renfrewshire Branch Centenary Stockjudging, Eaglesham
- North East Centenary Charity Dinner Dance, Thainstone
- Wool Board Training Day and Social Evening, Muir of Fowlis (Alistair and Dot Smart).
- Charity events coming up include: Ayrshire Region’s Centenary Celebration Farm Walk at Tardoes Farm, Muirkirk on Friday, 31 May; Argyll and The Islands Region Centenary Charity Ceilidh Dance in Oban on Friday, 7 June; New Deer Branch and young farmers stockjudging and auction at Slemonae, Methlick on Friday, 7 June (in support of New Deer Mothers and Toddlers Group and Centenary Fund); Huntly and Insch Branch stockjudging and BBQ at Wellheads Farm, Huntly on Friday, 14 June (in support of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and Centenary Fund) and the Perthshire Branches Centenary farm walk at Leitfie Farms, East Leitfie, Alyth, on Monday, 10 June.
- Details on the Centenary Trust are available at: http://www.nfus.org.uk/node/15077
- The news release on the initial awards from the Centenary Trust is available at: http://www.nfus.org.uk/news/2013/may/trust-brings-classroom-and-countryside-closer
- A photograph of schoolchildren from Aberdour, Crossgates and Kings Road Primaries visiting the Milne family at Barns Farm, Aberdour as part of the RHET Fife farm visit, supported by the NFU Scotland Centenary Trust, is available on request.
Ends
Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006