Farmers asked to donate animals for Tullamore charity livestock auction

Clara native Ronan Scully has called on local farmers to donate suitable animals ahead of the upcoming Midlands Farmers for Africa Special Fundraising Livestock Sale, in aid of Self Help Africa.

To be held at Tullamore Mart on Monday, September 28, the livestock sale, organised by local farmer Pat Mahon and Ronan Scully (Self Help Africa), organisers will donate all proceeds from the sale to Self Help Africa.

Farmers are invited to donate a suitable animal, male or female, aged three months or older, and animals can be collected and/or brought to the mart on behalf of donors. The appeal is particularly focused on Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny, North Tipperary, Meath, Longford, Roscommon and East Galway, but farmers throughout Ireland are invited to support the initiative, Ronan said.

“We hope this will become something much bigger than an ordinary livestock sale. For one day, Tullamore Mart will become a meeting place between two farming communities, one from the midlands of Ireland and another thousands of miles away in Africa. One animal donated can become something much greater than its sale value. It can become seeds in the hands of a farmer. Training for a young agricultural entrepreneur. Veterinary support for livestock. Better farming practices. A more resilient crop. A new income. Food on a family's table. A child remaining in school. It can become hope,” Scully said.

The appeal began with Offaly farmer Pat Mahon, and organisers said the response so far has been “deeply encouraging”, with Tullamore Mart and the IFA supporting the initiative. Tullamore Mart is waiving its fees for the day, Scully said.

“The money raised will not simply disappear into a distant fundraising pot. Self Help Africa works alongside rural communities, supporting people to build livelihoods that are more productive, sustainable and resilient. Its programmes include agricultural training, improved livestock and breeding practices, veterinary support, access to markets, climate-smart agriculture, enterprise development, women's farming initiatives, and support for communities facing increasingly unpredictable weather,” Ronan said.

“Self Help Africa's approach is built around sustainable livelihoods and helping communities gain greater control over their future. As someone who has travelled through some of the world's poorest communities and sat with farming families facing hunger, drought and unimaginable uncertainty, I have seen the difference that opportunity can make. That is why this fundraiser matters,” he added.