Virtual sporting success for Farm Africa

26 August 2020

Supporters across the UK have pushed it to the pedal to help farmers in eastern Africa amidst the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and desert locust invasion.

Team Farm Africa took on its first virtual sporting event, My Prudential RideLondon. The criterion was to choose any wheel, any distance, anyway; and Farm Africa certainly had the variety! From cyclists to scooters to tractor tyres, supporters across the UK took part in their challenges through heatwaves and storms.

Dan Collison, Farm Africa’s CEO, chose his trusty bike to cycle across Sussex:

“It was great to be able to take part in the alternative RideLondon event. Having done a few charity cycles in the past, I know how important it is as a fundraising opportunity for organisations like Farm Africa. After such a disrupted few months it was wonderful to get out and cover a few miles through the beautiful Sussex Weald. I really enjoyed doing the ride with three old friends, raising some money for Farm Africa and refreshing ourselves at some fine country pubs.”

For those that did not own a bicycle, Farm Africa supporters got a bit creative. Steph bravely chose to push a 95kg tractor tyre across her parents’ farm in Northamptonshire for 5km; whilst Violet, Edie and Isla found their scooters, pushing over 66 laps in their local park in London.

Sixth former Barnabus took on a huge feat, Everesting! He cycled the same hill non-stop for 13 hours in order to reach the accumulative height of Mount Everest, 8848m. This astonishing challenge required months of training and raised over £2,200.

Corporate participation was a huge success too. BASF raised awareness and crucial funds by opting to take part in Farm Africa’s virtual Sesame Cycle. The Sesame Cycle covers 66 miles, the equivalent distance between two sesame farms Farm Africa support in Kwale and Kilifi, coastal Kenya.

Farm Africa’s Cashew and Sesame project is working to breathe new life into Kenya’s cashew industry. The project is helping 15,000 smallholders develop profitable cashew and sesame businesses; training them in agricultural best practice so they can become certified organic farmers and command higher prices for their harvests.

“The virtual team from BASF completed their individual 66 miles across the country from Cambridgeshire to Cheshire, Anglesey and the Lake District with tales to tell, mainly getting wet, but also of that sense of achievement in support of a great cause” Andrew Jones, BASF

An enormous thank you to everyone that took on a challenge this month for Farm Africa, you’re an inspiration!

If you would like to join #TeamFarmAfrica with a virtual challenge for Farm Africa this summer, click here to find out how to climb your Everest, hike your Inca Trail or run your own distance. If you have an idea of how you would like to fundraise for Farm Africa during a time when farmers need our support the most, please email our lovely Events Team - events@farmafrica.org