GRAIN AND FEED TRADE BIKE RIDE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS


The GAFT Cycle relay which came to an end at Stoneleigh


on 31st July has been heralded as an outstanding success,


raising the profile of the Farming Community Network (FCN), generating significant funds for the charity and demonstrating to all in the industry the camaraderie and commitment of the grain and feed trade.


Richard Cooksley, one of the organising committee, who became known to all the participants as he drove the support van and travelled every single mile says: “We are exceeded all our expectations. We have secured fantastic support from the grain and feed trade, have travelled the length and breadth of the UK raising the profile of FCN, and have involved a huge number of riders. Most importantly we have raised a substantial sum to help FCN and the other charities while having a great deal of fun, banter and in my case scones and cakes!” A casual discussion after a meeting of the Bristol Grain and Feed


Trade Association snowballed into a major fund raising effort which eventually involved 617 riders from over 90 businesses visiting over 170 feed, grain and port sites and cycling a staggering 3720 miles – without a single accident or injury. “The supply trade is part of an interdependent chain we all refer to


as ‘Agriculture’ and only exists because of the farming industry,” Richard continues. “With the considerable economic and political pressures that many farming businesses are increasingly find themselves under, the discussion between a group of us at the Bristol dinner turned to the subject of whether we could do something significant and tangible to support the farming industry and those who end up facing often overwhelming challenges. “The outcome was the cycle relay. But we had no idea just how


large it would grow or what a significant undertaking it would be. I lost count of the number of times Charles Delf had to revise the route as more companies came on board!


“The aim of the relay was to help raise


awareness of the issues facing farmers, while at the same time collecting funds to provide on-going support for all members of the farming community and their families and to have a bit of fun,” Mr Cooksley continues. All monies raised are being donated to FCN,


SRABI and Rural Support NI, charities that support the farming community through times of stress, anxiety and depression which can affect both farm households and farm businesses. At FCN, a team of 400 volunteers, many of whom are involved in


PAGE 54 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 FEED COMPOUNDER


farming, work with farmers and support them as they seek to resolve their difficulties. Over 6000 people per year benefit from FCN’s support. Since it was established in 1995, FCN has helped thousands


of people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes. They are anticipating a spike of enquiries in the light of the current drought. “As a charity, FCN relies solely on donations in order to continue


its much-needed support of the farming community,” Richard continues. “Currently it costs approximately £1,500 a day to run FCN, but this is expected to rise in the coming years as British farming faces deep uncertainty about its future. So if we achieve our target it will make a huge contribution to FCN’s operations and send a powerful message about the unique bond between farmers and the supply trade.” The relay was an ambitious project but received phenomenal


support from across the industry. The route needed constant revision as more companies put their hands up to participate as the start date approached. Following the GATFA Dinner on 19th


started outside the Houses of Parliament on 20th


June, the Relay officially June when DEFRA


Minister George Eustice set the riders on their way. The aim was to visit all parts of the country. The relay travelled


across the South East before heading to the South West before traversing East Anglia. It then moved up the east of the country and into Scotland. As it moved down the west of the country, the relay crossed the Irish Sea visiting businesses in Northern Ireland before travelling through the North West of England, Wales and the West Midlands. The relay finished at NFU Headquarters, Agriculture House at Stoneleigh on July 31st


, 38 days after it started and having


averaged nearly 100 miles per day. “From Cornwall to Inverness, from Carmarthen


to the North Norfolk coast, this was truly a national relay and we received overwhelming commitment from the industry with both experienced cyclists and less-frequent peddlers lining up to take part. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm from all riders and along the way we had several tandems and AB Agri topped everything by having a six seater, which made slow if laughter-filled progress,” Richard Cooksley continues. The relay showed the unique nature of the grain


and feed trade, a point not lost on Andrew Davies, Operations Director at Harpers Feeds who was one


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