Addington Fund Celebrates 25 Years Supporting UK Farmers at House of Lords Event
Addington Fund celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special afternoon tea event at the House of Lords on Tuesday 28 April, welcoming over 50 guests. The event was kindly hosted by Lord Curry of Kirkharle.
Guests were invited to mark 25 years of the national agricultural charity, originally founded in Suffolk by the Reverend Canon Sally Fogden MBE and the late Richard Addington. The afternoon provided an opportunity to reflect on the charity’s impact and ongoing commitment supporting farming communities across England and Wales.
Sue English, Fund Director at Addington Fund said, “We are incredibly honoured to be at the House of Lords welcoming people who helped establish the charity 25 years ago and who continue to support us today. As we look ahead, our focus remains on supporting the next generation of farmers and strengthening rural communities.”
During the event, Addington Fund presented a short video recognising the roots of the charity and highlighting how its support has evolved over the past 25 years.
Addington Fund was established in 2001 following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. During this national crisis, the charity, then named the ARC-Addington Fund, responded rapidly, operating helplines for farmers seeking urgent financial assistance and support.
David Barker, Peter Havers and Peter Mortimore outside the House of Lords
From March 2001 to July 2002, the charity distributed over £10.3 million in vital financial relief, supporting more than 22,000 applicants.
Since then, Addington Fund has continued to offer emergency grants and secure housing to farmers and farm workers at the end of their working lives. More recently, the charity has expanded its work to support new entrants; offering small grants to help individuals take their first steps into the industry and launching their first starter farm, Whins in Cumbria.
As part of the celebration, Chair of Trustees Simon Mountjoy presented Lord Curry with a limited-edition commemorative teddy bear as a thank you for hosting the event and to mark his retirement from the House of Lords. The bear, named ‘Peter’ after the charity’s late Chairman and vet Peter Jinman, forms part of Addington Fund’s 25th anniversary campaign, “Rehome a Bear to Show You Care”, highlighting the charity’s work supporting the farming and rural community when life gets tough.
Simon Mountjoy, Chair of Trustees said, “Agriculture faces profound challenges, perhaps more so now than I can ever recall. But I have every confidence that Addington, with its trustees, staff and supporters, will continue to rise to the challenging needs of the farming community and be here for those needing at the end of their careers, those starting out, and those facing crisis.”
Simon Mountjoy, Chair of Trustees with Lord Curry of Kirkharle
About Addington Fund
Addington Fund is a national farming charity that supports farmers and rural communities through housing support, disaster relief and its new entrant scheme.
For more information about Addington Fund and its 25th anniversary celebrations, visit addingtonfund.org.uk
ENDS
Gerry, the Addington Fund Bear on Westminster Bridge
Afternoon Tea at the House of Lords
Gerry, the Addington Fund Bear in Parliament Square