NFU president Minette Batters is among team to complete this year’s London Marathon
A team of NFU runners has raised more than £30,000 for Farm Africa by completing the London Marathon this month, with donations going to support farmers in East Africa.
The team of farming leaders included NFU president Minette Batters, vice president David Exwood, former NFU North East regional director Adam Bedford, Defra lead spatial analyst David Fouracre, and farmer Frederic Exwood. They far exceeded their initial target of raising £10,000 for the charity.
Batters said: “On behalf of Team NFU, I want to express my huge gratitude to everyone who has donated. We are overwhelmed with people’s generosity, and it gives important recognition to Farm Africa’s charitable work. The organisation is playing an instrumental part in helping to build a prosperous rural Africa through its excellent work, supporting farmers to build their agricultural practices and increase their incomes.
“Many thanks and well done to David, Adam, David and Fred, for joining the NFU team. We all recognise that despite being on different continents, British and East African farmers are facing similar challenges when it comes to rising costs, climate change and food security, and it is more fundamental than ever that we stand together to drive positive change.”
Farm Africa CEO Dan Collison added: “I would like to send my congratulations and sincere thanks to all the NFU runners for finishing the race in such great times. We are hugely grateful to all the runners for raising funds for Farm Africa. Every penny contributed will be put to use helping Farm Africa help more farming families across eastern Africa to grow more, sell more and earn more, while protecting the environment for generations to come.
“Eastern Africa is currently experiencing the longest and most severe drought on record, so this support has never been more needed.”
