Farmers hit hunger for six in Cambridge cricket tournament

Four teams from across the UK farming sector have helped to hit hunger in Africa for six by playing in a cricket tournament that has raised the whopping figure of over £5,500 for the charity Farm Africa.

The tournament, staged yesterday in the beautiful surroundings of Trinity College Cambridge’s cricket ground, was organised by Farmcare (previously Co-operative Farms).

The Farmcare team were up against teams from Agrovista UK, which supplies agronomy advice and crop protection services right across the UK, the NFU and CLAAS UK, a worldwide manufacturer of agricultural engineering equipment.

Competition was intense in the morning with Farmcare beating the NFU in a hard-fought first game.

Unfortunately, driving rain arrived after lunch, preventing a conclusion to the second game between CLAAS UKand Agrovista. Teams headed for the pavilion where a host of stunning prizes were auctioned off, including an England cricket shirt signed by England captain Alastair Cook, a bat signed by the victorious 2013 Ashes-winning England side and a signed England team photo.


And spirits were kept high throughout the day, despite the rain, thanks to a beautiful tea and sumptuous hog roast. The cricketers were able to hear first-hand about Farm Africa’s work from NFU team member and Dorset farmer, Robert Lasseter, who has visited Farm Africa projects in Tanzania as part of major fundraising challenges he has undertaken. These include a 2012 NFU climb of Mount Kilimanjaro and a trek last year across the wild and untamed landscapes of the Tanzania Highlands.

Reflecting on a hugely enjoyable and successful day, Farm Africa’s Corporate Fundraising Manager, Penny Ruszczynski, said:

“Today is yet another example of the huge commitment shown for many years now by the UK’s farming and agricultural sector for supporting their fellow farmers in Africa. We are hugely grateful to David Watson and the team at Farmcare for putting on the tournament, to Agrovista who helped secure so many of the fabulous raffle prizes and to everyone who has turned up to play, make teas and support.”