Farming group Pilgram’s raise £65,000 for mental health charity Mind

Pilgram’s UK are well established as one of the largest farming companies in the  country, working with over 1,000 farmers to produce the highest quality British pork. Their farming operation is 100% RSPCA Higher Welfare, making them the largest producer of higher welfare pork globally, delivering 25% of pig meat to UK consumers. Now the company is doing its part for human welfare, raising a huge £65,000 for mental health charity Mind.

Employees from across the business have taken part in a host of activities to raise funds, including a sponsored head shave earlier this year, with members of staff receiving donations of more than £600 after parting with their locks.

The charity partnership has also seen the Pilgrim’s UK team climb Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Mind and take part in a 100km challenge, which saw members of staff complete 100km each over the course of December 2020, raising more than £2,000.

The food producer also regularly donates to Mind through its staff lotto, which has raised almost £30,000 during the past four years.

The funds have helped Mind to provide mental health support services for people across England and Wales. Mind are one of the UK’s most prominent mental health charities, who have been working since 1946 to help improve awareness and support for those with mental health problems. The agricultural sector has long faced struggles with mental health, with farms working long, often lonely hours in what is often a very stressful role. The help of charities has become more important than ever, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on the nation’s mental health.

Rachel Baldwin, vice-president of HR at Pilgrim’s UK, said: “The work Mind does is absolutely vital and life-changing to so many people, and it is a cause that is close to many of our colleagues’ hearts. We want to help the charity in their efforts to reach as many people as possible and we are all proud to achieve this significant milestone in our partnership.

“We will continue to do what we can to support Mind and our other charity partners with new and innovative ways to raise money as we try to keep making a positive impact in communities across the nation.”

Emma Ihsan, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, said: “The Pilgrim’s UK team has been a hugely supportive partner to us over the past four years and their fundraising efforts have helped us to make a real difference to those of us experiencing mental health problems. As we continue to deal with the mental health fall-out of the coronavirus pandemic, we are especially grateful for their ongoing support in raising money to fund our support services, including Mind Infoline and legal line, so that we can be there for everyone who needs us.”