Co. Tyrone Dairy Farm's Open Day Raises £39,200 for Parkinson’s UK and Air Ambulance NI
Source: The DairyNews
A dairy farm in Co. Tyrone recently hosted a successful open day event, raising a significant £39,200 for two vital charities. The event, organized in collaboration with Lely Centre Eglish, took place at Grove Dairy Holsteins, a prominent 750-cow dairy operation managed by the Mitchell family, located outside Castlederg.
The funds raised during this community-driven event will be evenly distributed between Parkinson’s UK and Air Ambulance NI, with each charity receiving £19,600. John Mitchell, representing Grove Dairies, expressed his gratitude to attendees: “We are overwhelmed with the support and can’t thank everyone enough for the assistance we received.”
The primary motivation for hosting the open day was to generate funds for these charities, reflecting the farm's commitment to giving back to the community. The event attracted a diverse crowd, ranging from fellow farmers to members of the general public, all eager to explore the advanced operations of the farm.
Highlighting the day’s activities, John Mitchell discussed the farm’s transition from traditional thrice-daily milking in two 30-30 parlours to a fully automated, robotic Lely milking system. This innovative shift has marked a significant advancement in the farm's operational efficiency.
Additionally, the open day featured representatives from various agri-business sectors, including feed, genetics, and machinery companies, showcasing the broader agricultural community's support for the event.
About the Charities:
Parkinson’s UK is recognized by the National Health Service (NHS) as the leading support and research charity for Parkinson’s in the UK. It provides vital resources and support to those living with the disease and promotes awareness of support groups available across the region.
Air Ambulance NI operates in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to deliver Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) across Northern Ireland. The charity’s helicopter, staffed by a pilot, doctor, and paramedic, operates daily throughout the year. It costs the charity £6,850 each day to maintain this life-saving service, with an annual funding requirement of £2.5 million. The service relies solely on public and local business support to remain operational.
The primary motivation for hosting the open day was to generate funds for these charities, reflecting the farm's commitment to giving back to the community. The event attracted a diverse crowd, ranging from fellow farmers to members of the general public, all eager to explore the advanced operations of the farm.
Highlighting the day’s activities, John Mitchell discussed the farm’s transition from traditional thrice-daily milking in two 30-30 parlours to a fully automated, robotic Lely milking system. This innovative shift has marked a significant advancement in the farm's operational efficiency.
Additionally, the open day featured representatives from various agri-business sectors, including feed, genetics, and machinery companies, showcasing the broader agricultural community's support for the event.
About the Charities:
Parkinson’s UK is recognized by the National Health Service (NHS) as the leading support and research charity for Parkinson’s in the UK. It provides vital resources and support to those living with the disease and promotes awareness of support groups available across the region.
Air Ambulance NI operates in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to deliver Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) across Northern Ireland. The charity’s helicopter, staffed by a pilot, doctor, and paramedic, operates daily throughout the year. It costs the charity £6,850 each day to maintain this life-saving service, with an annual funding requirement of £2.5 million. The service relies solely on public and local business support to remain operational.
