HELP US RAISE £100,000 TO SUPPORT THE FARM COMMUNITY NETWORK

I am writing to ask for your company’s participation in a major initiative which will help provide vital and practical support for many in the farming industry and demonstrate the essential bond between farmers and their suppliers.

Agriculture is the background of rural communities and a great many people earn a living from that industry. But farming is often an isolated occupation and current events will only make this more so, with increased personal, mental and financial pressure on many farm business being borne within a small family environment. It is a sad, and humbling fact that the farming industry continues to experience a suicide virtually every week.

We believe it is time for the agricultural supply trade to act in a co-ordinated way to show unequivocal support for the farming industry and my reason for writing is to ask for your company’s active involvement in an event to raise a substantial sum for one of the UKs leading farm charities – The Farm Community Network (FCN).

FCN, formerly the Farm Crisis Network, is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times. It has a network of over 400 volunteers, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture, and therefore have a great understanding of the issues farm workers and farming families regularly face. Since 1995, they have helped thousands of people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes to find a positive way through their problems - for as long as it is needed.

The GAFT Cycle Relay, the brainchild of a group of Grain and Corn Trade Associations is a major national event designed to raise the profile of FCN and the work it does, to demonstrate real support for the farming industry from the supply trade and to raise £100,000 to help fund the on-going work of FCN. And we are asking for your company’s support to help make the event a success.

The relay will be a marathon 3700 cycle tour linking many of the principal mills, ports, grain and feed sites. It will start in London after the GAFTA dinner on 19th June with DEFRA Secretary of State starting the first team from outside the Houses of Parliament. The relay final route is yet to be finalised but will take in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, finishing towards the end of July at Stoneleigh Park.

We hope as many companies as possible will agree to take part in the relay and help us towards hitting our target. We will be working to maximise the local, regional and national PR surrounding the event and this will benefit participating businesses, working with the press and on social media. The event will be strongly branded and we plan to engage with as many people as possible such as Young Farmers Organisations, Livestock Markets and Agricultural Shows

Our objective is that every penny raised will go direct to FCN and we are currently working on a pack explaining exactly how businesses can become involved. At this stage we would be grateful if you could signal your willingness to participate in this large undertaking, ideally by agreeing to provide riders for your local leg of the relay but we are happy for any support you can give.

We will then get in touch to explain the event in more detail and to discuss how you can get involved. You can find out more about the event at

I hope you will agree this is a worthwhile initiative offering tangible support for an industry we all depend upon. I look forward to hearing that you want to get involved but please call if you want further details.

From the GAFT team

Grain And Feed Trade charity relay bike ride 19th June to 31st July 2018

Portbury House, Sheepway, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7TE

telephone 01275 373539 or 07801 435772