Farm Africa congratulates Devenish on long-distance fundraising relay success
13th April 2015
For the past four weeks, staff across the Devenish Group have cycled, run and swum 4,240 miles to fundraise for Farm Africa, launching Devenish’s first ever Charity of the Year.
But the Devenish fundraisers didn’t head off for warmer climes, our fundraising activities took place at the various offices across the Devenish Group. Staff from across the Group participated in the virtual relay and reached our target just before the Easter weekend. One dedicated member of the team, Terry Lofthouse, clocked up almost 400 miles!
Terry Lofthouse said of the event: “Fitness has been a big part of my life, I do a lot of martial arts, I was injured last year, and I lost the motivation to train and challenge myself, so this was a challenge I needed to get motivated. Also with being new to the Devenish Group I felt taking part in team challenge to raise money for the Farm Africa would show our commitment along with my colleagues. My goal was to achieve 400 miles so I was delighted to have achieved this.”
The 4,240 miles measures the distance from Devenish’s Belfast HQ to Hoima in Uganda where we are funding agricultural activities for farmers. Farm Africa also has projects in Uganda, as well as in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Patrick McLaughlin, CEO Devenish UK and Ireland, led the fundraising drive. He explained:
“Devenish Group’s global business is focussed on providing nutritional solutions for the agri-food sector and delivering the best outcomes for livestock producers. Raising funds for Farm Africa and helping smallholder farmers to grow themselves and their families out of poverty and hunger is a cause we are proud to support.”
“Everyone across the Group was united by the common goal of covering the miles – it’s been a pleasure to watch people pull together to launch our partnership with Farm Africa. Farm Africa has a fantastic track record of delivering tools, knowledge and expertise on the ground and we look forward to supporting them this year, having kicked off with the relay.”
Penny Ruszczynski, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Farm Africa, hailed the achievement. “4,240 miles was a huge undertaking in just four weeks, but we are delighted that the Devenish Group have launched our partnership so successfully! And we are excited to see what fundraising activities they have planned for the year ahead.”
Businesses within the Devenish group that took part in the relay include Devenish UK & Ireland, Devenish International, A-One Feed Supplements, Hi-Peak Organic Feeds and Vitrition Organics. Staff will be taking on a host of other activities in aid of Farm Africa over the coming year, led from the front by the group’s Executive Chairman, Owen Brennan who is taking part in the Farm Africa Bale Mountains Challenge in Ethiopia in November alongside other leaders from the food industry. Owen Brennan said “well done to all who have made this first step such a success and I look forward to our continuing efforts in the year ahead”
To donate to our fundraising efforts please visit our just giving page or alternatively please contact Simon Caughey, Marketing Manager, simon.caughey@devenishnutrition.com for details on how to donate.
Picture Caption: Devenish Group’s Patrick McLaughlin clocking up some miles on a static bike in Reception