Nearly £40,000 raised for TB-stricken dairy farmer on Clarkson’s Farm
3rd March 2023
Emma Ledbury, who lost half of her dairy herd to TB last year, was overwhelmed by support from Clarkson’s Farm fans and resolved to donate some of the funds to the mental health charity RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution).
Ms Ledbury and her husband were hit hard by TB on their Oxfordshire dairy farm in 2022, losing 60 out of 120 cows to the devastating disease.
To keep the business afloat, she has been selling milk and milkshakes in Jeremy Clarkson’s shop and was also going to be a supplier to his restaurant which was later denied planning permission.
Moved by her appalling situation, Clarkson’s Farm viewer Rebecca Poole set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the business. In the campaign’s description, she wrote:
“(…) Having watched the program Clarkson’s Farm Season Two, I was appalled by the current situation facing British farmers. How can our farmers be working all hours for little or no pay in one of the richest countries in the world?”
In a short span of two weeks, the fundraiser reached £37,474 of its £40,000 goal, thanks to the generous donations of 2,400 supporters. Ms Ledbury said she was overwhelmed by the kindness and support of fans on an instalment of Steph’s Packed Lunch this Wednesday (1st March).
“It was a real shock,” she admitted. “We found out this lovely lady called Beccie, whom we’d never met before, a total stranger had set up a GoFundMe page after seeing my story on Clarkson’s Farm.”
To extend the support to all farmers struggling in the same boat, Ms Ledbury decided to donate some of the funds to the mental health charity RABI that offers a 24/7 helpline and access to in-person counselling for farmers across England and Wales.
“I think this is a fantastic idea and a fabulous opportunity to show ALL farmers how much we support them,” Rebecca Poole wrote on the campaign’s page.
Commenting on the donation, Paul Pirie, head of fundraising at RABI, said: “Following the incredible response to Rebecca Poole’s appeal to support dairy farmer Emma Ledbury, we are delighted that Emma has chosen to donate some of the monies raised to RABI.
Mr Pirie acknowledged the public response to the challenges highlighted by Emma in Clarkson’s Farm 2 has been “overwhelming”. “We thank Rebecca and Emma for their support of RABI and for this incredible donation, which will help us to help even more farming people,” he added.
To donate and make a difference to British farmers, visit Ms Ledbury’s fundraiser here.
