© Ben Hardy
Farmers and different trade stakeholders have been among the many quite a few runners at this 12 months’s London Marathon, elevating 1000’s of kilos for farming charities.
In complete, greater than 58,000 runners took half within the 26.2-mile occasion on Sunday 23 April, together with NHS employee Ben Hardy who was trying to interrupt the world report for the quickest time whereas carrying a full tractor costume.
Mr Hardy accomplished the course in a little bit over 5 hours, simply lacking the Guinness world report of 4 hours 50min, with moist circumstances including additional weight to the already heavy outfit.
See additionally: London Marathon runner makes an attempt world report in tractor costume
Collectively together with his working associate, Ryan Willday, they managed to lift greater than £5,500 for charity Tommys. Additional donations could be made on his JustGiving web page.
And we’re practically off! We’re approaching £30k raised for the great @FarmAfrica with offline donations and reward help – thanks a lot to everybody it’s such a lift.
We’re nonetheless open for donations giant and small and thanks all a lot! https://t.co/rdZ7WMOvcc pic.twitter.com/VLgEtNcSsc
— Adam Bedford (@adambedders) April 23, 2023
The NFU had a contingent of runners and has raised greater than £30,000 already by way of its JustGiving web page and cheque donations.
NFU president Minette Batters, vice-president David Exwood, and regional director Adam Bedford have been joined by Defra lead spatial analyst David Fouracre and farmer Frederic Exwood to lift cash for Farm Africa.
Ms Batters crossed the road at simply over 4 hours 25min, Mr Exwood accomplished the course in 5 hours 28min and Mr Bedford completed in 4 hours 9min.
Monumental because of @NFUtweets President @Minette_Batters for working the #londonmarathon2023 for Farm Africa, what an unbelievable effort.
You may sponsor the NFU staff at https://t.co/bU6gLuSNMZ pic.twitter.com/prsZX5SEj2
— Farm Africa (@FarmAfrica) April 23, 2023
Ms Batters mentioned she was delighted to be working this 12 months’s London Marathon supporting farming colleagues throughout jap Africa.
“Whereas we come from completely different continents, all of us face the identical meals safety challenges, and in instances of such international volatility it’s extra necessary than ever that we stand collectively.”
Farm Africa chief govt Dan Collison mentioned the funds will allow the charity to equip farmers in jap Africa with the information and instruments they should construct sustainable farming companies, overcome poverty, and construct resilience to local weather change.
FCN fundraising
Three runners accomplished this 12 months’s marathon for the Farming Group Community (FCN) charity, elevating a mixed complete of greater than £5,000.
Annabel Richards, from Kent, ran in help of FCN in reminiscence of an in depth buddy who died final 12 months.
Daniel Pidgeon, from Somerset, additionally ran in help of the charity and mentioned: “Everybody wants assist every so often, even when it’s only a cellphone name to have a chat and get issues off your chest. The extra money that may be raised, the extra help FCN can provide.”
Kate Lewin, who works for an agricultural equipment provider in Nottinghamshire, determined to run the marathon to lift cash for FCN to help psychological well being within the farming trade.
