With less than a month away until the 2019 Farmers’ Charity Auction, the support from local businesses, farmers and the rural Cumbrian community has been hailed by the organisers as tremendous. Set to be one of the largest catalogues to date, with over 80 items having already been put forward to go under the hammer at Carlisle’s Borderway Auction Mart, on Friday 25th January.

John Wood on his Yamaha Quad Bike

Some of the donations which have already been pledged ahead of this month’s auction include a pallet of Crystalyx and a top-spec Yamaha Quad Bike, weekend breaks, a bull calf and 2 Herdwick Lambs.

Bought new from Carrs Billington 8 weeks ago, the quad has been donated by local Carlisle farmer, John Wood. This quad bike is known as the packhorse of the ATV world – strong, tough and durable, and with Ultramatic transmission to make light work of steep hills and climbs. With rear and front racks, the ATV also has the ability to carry loads up to 120kg, and its front and rear suspension keeps the ATV buoyant over rough terrain; this model also has a non-standard front winch.

Giving background, John said:
“As a Cumbrian farmer, I wanted to give something back to my local community, and following the recent tragedy, I felt that this was the one good thing I could do. Over the years, the Farmers’ Charity Auction has supported so many, so I am pleased to make this donation.

“I bought the quad bike for over £5,000 last October and I am donating it on the condition that I can use it until the end of March, after the Herdwick sheep flock return to the uplands on Helvellyn.”

The Farmers’ Charity Auction is a tremendous event to support at all levels, through donations large or small and of course purchases, and I hope that many more people will benefit from the funds raised at this year’s event”, concluded John.

Since our last update, additional donations include:

• A day’s fencing (with two men and equipment provided by David-Mark Potts)

• 1 week use of both a Manitou Telehandler and a New Holland Tractor (Lloyds)

• An Allett classic 14L petrol lawnmower (Lloyds)

• A BBQ for 100 people (Neil Milburn, Walby Farm Park)

• 5 Course Dinner for 6-8 people (Pat Turnbull)

As well as numerous smaller items like shepherd crooks, walking sticks, prodded doormats, bales of straw and much more!

Launched over 35 years ago, this renowned fundraising event has raised tens of thousands of pounds for some of Cumbria’s best-loved and worthwhile charities. The money raised from the 2019 auction, being held on Friday 25th January, will be split across four charities; the Heart Centre Cumberland Infirmary, the Stroke Unit Carlisle, R.A.B.I and Life Education Cumbria.

Nick Utting, Chairman of the Farmers’ Charity Auction, said:
“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received, and I would like to reiterate that even though we are only three weeks away, donations are still very gratefully being accepted. Of course, we must also remember that the donating is only half of the story because we do need people to attend the event and bid for the items which have been donated.”

Hannah Jackson, well-known as the Red Shepherdess, a first-generation farmer and contract shepherdess in Cumbria, will be opening the event and auctioneering the first lot of sheep. Farmers at participating auctions and attending sales immediately before 25th January are invited to offer up one of their stock as a lot, if selling a pen of stock sold at the local auction.

Across the day, there will be a number of stalls run by the charities and the local Young Farmer’s Clubs will also be showing their support with individual fundraisers. During the event, there will be entertainment provided by the five auction mart staff with Caz Graham (Radio 4) and Val Armstrong compering. Rory Stewart MP will also be involved during the day.

The Farmers’ Charity Auction is being supported by H&H Group, Borderway Mart, Carlisle, the C&D Auction Mart, Longtown, Penrith and District Farmers Mart, Hopes of Wigton, and Mitchell’s of Cockermouth, as well as the NFU.

For up-to-date news on the auction please like/follow our activity on Twitter @farmers_auction and on Facebook Farmerscharityauction.

Related Links

Looking for Lots for Farmers’ Charity Auction

2014 Charity Auction Press Release

2014 Farmers’ Charity Auction to have a Touch of Tartan!

2008 Farmers' Charity Auction Donations