A display of farming machinery in the centre of London helped raise more than £65,000 in aid of farmers in crisis.
The equipment was showcased outside St Paul's Cathedral on January 16th as part of an event to collect money for the Addington Fund and to highlight the vital link between farming and the food consumed by urban dwellers.
"Most people are unaware of the daily struggle farmers face, most recently with low milk prices and bad weather. We’re delighted to be able to show our solidarity on top of the usual reliable service we provide" Jeremy Turney of The Turney Group said before the event.
The countryside display began on the evening of the 15th with a procession of lorries into the City carrying a combine harvester and a trio of tractors.
The next day they shared the space with livestock, plus representatives from the farming and food industry to answer questions from passing workers.
It was organised by the Addington Fund, which provides homes for farming families living in England and Wales who have to leave the industry and lose their home. It also offers emergency hardship grants.
"We were so proud to have our New Holland machines at the display. It confirmed our solidarity with farmers and the importance of producers – both for rural and urban communities – and that they mustn't be forgotten" said Turney.
"Raising more than £65,000 for the Addington Fund is a huge success and we are delighted to have been part of that."
"We'll continue to back farming in the UK and carry on providing the best service possible to support their businesses and help them through these tough times."
The event concluded with 1,000 people attending the cathedral for a special Plough Wednesday Evensong, where a collection contributed more than £15,000.
There were readings by NFU president Peter Kendall, former farming minister Sir Jim Paice, Reverend Canon Sally Fogden MBE and members of clergy from around the country.
