From fwi.co.uk
A vegan farming group has donated £6,000 to a farming mental health charity, following a year-long campaign of fundraising at events and endurance runs.
The funds were presented to The DPJ Foundation, a charity that supports the mental health of those working in agriculture, at the recent Royal Welsh Show.
Vegans Support the Farmers aims to build bridges between vegans and farmers by supporting farmer-led initiatives and promoting a more fair and sustainable food system.
The group raised the money through donations at 20 vegan events across the UK, including VegFest London, the Scottish Vegan Festival, Vegan Campout, and the Welsh Vegan Festival.
Sarah Foy from Vegans Support the Farmers said: “The events were hard work and the running was exhausting, but knowing that every pound raised would go to supporting our hard-working farmers kept us motivated.
“We are devastated by the state of mental health within the farming community and are desperate for meaningful improvements to happen.”
She added: “It gives us so much pleasure to hand over this money and contribute to the vital services they provide.”
Half marathons
Vegans Support the Farmers also secured online sponsorship as three members – Kerri, Sarah, and Tom – ran four half-marathons across the UK in 2024.
These were the Great Welsh Half Marathon, the Edinburgh Half Marathon, the Newcastle Way Half Marathon, and the North Yorkshire Half Marathon.
The DPJ Foundation was launched in 2016 in memory of Daniel Picton-Jones, an agricultural contractor who died by suicide after experiencing undiagnosed mental health issues.
His widow, Emma Picton-Jones, set up the charity to provide mental health support and raise awareness within the farming community.
According to a recent survey, 95% of farmers under 40 believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem in farming.
The DPJ Foundation offers a range of services, including therapy, 24/7 helplines and resources for suicide bereavement.
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