The NFU has raised more than £30,000 for Farm Africa by running the London Marathon on Sunday 23 April. The donations will go to support farmers in East Africa and reduce poverty by helping rural families grow their incomes.
The team of farming leaders that pounded the streets of London included NFU President Minette Batters, NFU Vice President David Exwood, former NFU North East regional director Adam Bedford, Defra Lead Spatial Analyst David Fouracre, and farmer Frederic Exwood. They well exceeded their initial target of raising £10,000 for the charity.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “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 said: “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.”