Farmer stages annual Ride for Africa across Sussex countryside
20 August 2015
A fourth generation farmer from East Sussex is about to stage his 12th annual Ride for Africa event to raise money for Farm Africa, a charity which works with smallholder farmers in eastern Africa to grow food and income security, and bring an end to hunger.
Tim Jury from Hastings has raised more than £22,000 through his annual sponsored rides, which are open to walkers and runners as well as horse riders. This year’s event takes place on Sunday 30 August across ten miles of rolling Sussex farmland and woodland. Fellow farmers are lending their support by opening up their fields especially for the day, giving people a rare opportunity to enjoy countryside normally off limits to the public.
The ride will start at Cherry Garden Farm in Fairlight village, East Sussex and takes in the villages of Pett and Guestling before finishing back at Fairlight. There will be refreshments at the halfway stage and plenty of opportunity to stop and enjoy the spectacular views over lovely Sussex farmland whilst raising money to support African farmers and their families.
Tim, a 62-year-old married father of four, is a fundraising phenomenon who has worked tirelessly over many years to raise well over £100,000 for Farm Africa, as well as promoting awareness of its work. This summer he held an open garden fundraising event and there will be a carol service on his farm in December.
Tim has travelled to both Kenya and Ethiopia to see Farm Africa’s work on the ground and has even done a fundraising run through the iconic Masi Mara game reserve. Explaining what motivates him to do so much to support fellow farmers in Africa, Tim says:
“I understand the importance of growing food and have an affinity with farmers in Africa. They are affected by so many things outside their control, like animal disease or the weather. The conditions there are much harsher with droughts and deluges, in the UK we don’t have extreme weather like that to wipe out our crops, but in Africa you can lose everything or can’t even get started if the weather isn’t with you.
I have been supporting Farm Africa for many years and I have had the opportunity to see their work in action. It only takes 14 hours to travel there, the same amount of time it takes to drive to Scotland. The people I have met have been so resilient and resourceful, and seeing how such a small amount of money goes so far has been great. The people who Farm Africa have helped are on the road to having a much better life – they are more secure and are working together to grow their businesses.
It’s all about recognising they are no different to us, and their success comes down to the same components all farmers face - the need for suitable tools and equipment to produce food. Farm Africa isn’t about giving food aid, it’s about building a sustainable future that involves kick starting the farming industry in Africa. I believe we can help farmers there to grow enough food to provide not just for their families, but for their entire countries.”
Ends
Event Details:
When: Sunday 30 August 2015
Where: Fairlight, Pett and Guestling near Hastings
Time: Choice of three start times, 9am, 10am or 11am
Cost to participate: £15* for horse riders (*£20 if entering on the day) £5 for walkers
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/107110359635860/
Notes to Editor:
For more information please contact Tara Carey at the Farm Africa press office:
T: 020 7841 5156
M: 07971 556340
Images from previous Ride for Africa events are also available.
About Farm Africa:
Farm Africa supports farmers living at subsistence level, constantly at risk of crop failure, to build food and income security so that they can grow a better and reliable future for their families.
By focusing on ‘climate smart’ agricultural and forestry techniques, building market links and adding value to production, Farm Africa unleashes the entrepreneurial abilities of the farmers and rural communities they work with.
Farm Africa believes passionately that smallholders can and will play a key role in achieving rural prosperity in Africa.
For more information about Farm Africa please visit www.farmafrica.org or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
