Midlands' fundraising livestock sale to support farmers in Africa
The Midlands farming community is making an appeal to industry colleagues across the country as part of a unique farmer-to-farmer fundraiser.
The initiative is calling on farmers to donate an animal, the proceeds of whose sale at Tullamore Mart on September 28 will be directed to Self Help Africa.
Self Help Africa is an Ireland-registered charity which works to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change in Africa.
Clara man Ronan Scully, who works for the organisation, is collaborating with farmer Pat Mahon from Blueball, near Tullamore, on the philanthropic campaign.
The donated animals will be sold at Tullamore Mart on September 28, to raise funds for Self Help Africa's rural development programmes across the continent.
The campaign, led by the farming community in Ireland, is in solidarity with farmers in Africa and has the tagline "Will you sell one animal so another farming family can survive?"
The appeal reads: "For generations, Westmeath and Offaly farmers have understood the bond between people, animals and the land. They know the uncertainty of farming life, the worry of poor weather, rising costs, difficult seasons and the sleepless nights when the future feels uncertain. They know what it means to depend on livestock.
"They know what it means to care for animals. And they know the difference that kindness from another farming family can make in a time of need. That shared understanding of resilience is inspiring Irish farmers to reach across continents and stand beside small-scale farming families in Africa who are facing unimaginable challenges caused by drought, floods, hunger, climate change, conflict and poverty."
Pat Mahon, the founder and driving force behind the appeal, is calling on farmers throughout Westmeath and nationally to consider donating one male or female calf, or another suitable young animal over three months old, for the special charity auction in aid of Self Help Africa.
Speaking about the appeal, Pat said: "I know the goodness that exists in Irish farming families. Farmers understand hardship. They understand survival. They understand the importance of livestock and what one animal can mean to a family’s future.
"When a farmer in Ireland gives one animal, that act of generosity can help provide food, income, opportunity and hope to a farming family thousands of miles away. Farmers believe in giving people a hand up, not a hand out, and that is exactly the kind of support Self Help Africa provides."
Pat shared that several farmers have already committed animals to the fundraiser, but he hopes many more families, agricultural businesses, marts, organisations and rural communities will join the campaign.
The appeal has also been inspired by the humanitarian work of Ronan Scully, who has spent almost four decades supporting vulnerable communities across Africa.
"In many African communities, livestock are life," said Ronan. "A cow, goat, sheep or chickens can mean milk for children, income for education, nutrition for families and security during difficult times.
"The support raised from this fundraiser will help provide livestock breeding programmes, veterinary supports, training and rural development initiatives that allow families to build stronger, more sustainable futures," he concluded.