RHASS fundraises £137k for agricultural charities

The vital funds were raised earlier this year at the PI’s charity dinner held at the Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre in Linwood and have now been divided between RHASS partner charities: the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs’ (SAYFC) Big Build, the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), RSABI and Farmstrong Scotland.

The PI team’s unique charity dinner auction prizes played a key role in helping to raise the funds, which included a selection of luxury experiences, exclusive sports memorabilia, whisky collections and agricultural prizes.

George Lyon, RHASS president, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the individual members and local companies who were so generous in their sponsorship and support for our Strathclyde RHASS charity dinner.

“The £137,000 we raised for our agriculture charities far exceeded our expectations, and we are delighted to be able to generously support our four agriculture charities.

“The Presidential team decided to give £39,000 each to RSABI, RHET and SAYFC Big Build. We also gave Farmstrong £20,000 on the understanding it would trigger match funding from Movember, which would increase the value of the award to £40,000.

“The Strathclyde Presidency comes to an end on the 16th of July, and the baton is handed over to Aberdeen. I would just like to thank all of our team who worked so hard over the last year to make our Presidency a success.”

Vital funds raised

As well as helping give sector charities a significant funding boost, the Strathclyde Presidential Initiative 2025 also saw the team deliver a series of events focused on agriculture’s journey to net zero, including a parliamentary reception and working with farmers, researchers, and agribusinesses to showcase and promote the latest innovations that are helping the industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

James Logan, chairman of RHASS, said: “Our 2025 Presidential Initiative team have done a wonderful job of helping to shine a light on the sector’s drive towards net zero through some brilliant events.

“More than that, they have also helped raise vital funds for organisations that provide indispensable services for those across the sector and help to champion farming and rural life. We thank George, especially, for the energy and drive he has brought to the role and the entire Presidential Team who have helped to make what’s been achieved this year possible.”

Katrina Barclay, executive officer of RHET, said: “We are delighted and honoured to have been selected to receive this generous donation from the RHASS PI team, who have raised an incredible amount. Supporting the work of our charity in this way helps to keep our free food and farming learning available to schoolchildren all over Scotland. We need to raise about £500k each year, so this donation is very welcome.”

Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, added: “The Strathclyde Presidential team really went above and beyond over the past year, and we are hugely grateful to them for the exceptional amount raised. As a charity we very much depend on the support of people in Scottish agriculture to allow us to do the work we do to provide financial, practical and emotional support to people going through tough times, and this donation means a great deal.”

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