Past Charity Events
4 July 2021
This evening I had a lovely visit form Linda Jones from the charity RABI.
I gave her a cheque for £15,500 which will go to assist farmers in their time of need.
We look forward to working with RABI
throughout the remainder of 2021.
3 July 2021
This morning I was proud to host
Emily Legg from Ovarian Cancer Action.
I was able to hand her a cheque for £15,500
towards their fantastic research that they do into this cruel disease.
An eventful Charity Open Farm Evening in Memory of Evelyn
on Saturday 15th July 2017
In Aid of
Ovarian Cancer Action & Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
All-in-all a satisfactory outcome with the final figure, including match funding from Barclays, in excess of
£4,300
Excerpt from RABI website published 31 Aug 2017
Farmer launches British Blue herd in late wife’s memory
Pictured
above are (left to right) Malcolm Thomas, Emyr Wigley, and Lord Digby-Jones.
Powys farmer Emyr Wigley has developed a unique herd of British Blue cattle in memory of his late wife, Evelyn. The Old Stackyard British Blue herd will exist solely to raise funds for two charities close to Emyr’s heart: R.A.B.I and Ovarian Cancer Action.
Before their retirement, the Wigleys, from Llansantffraid, used to keep a small herd of British Blue cattle alongside a dairy herd. Following Evelyn’s death, Emyr decided to start another herd in her memory and began buying prime heifers from some of the UK’s top breeders.
“Evelyn and I built up a dairy herd with hard work and long hours,” explained Emyr. “Our plans for travel, our caravan holidays, and walking in the beautiful British countryside loved by us both were put on hold until our retirement. It was a devastating blow to learn in the first few years of our retirement, that Evelyn had ovarian cancer. She was a very special lady, kind, caring and multi-talented and after a lifetime of work the majority of her retirement years were stolen from her. Whilst tragically too late to help my dear Evelyn, I wanted to do something to help combat this evil disease as a tribute to my wife.”
The couple had sold their farm and built a house for their retirement, whilst keeping some land. However, Evelyn’s cancer diagnosis changed everything and sadly she passed away in October 2015, aged 69.
In order to develop his new herd Emyr had to start again, but he has received tremendous support from friends, businesses and the local community. The herd is accommodated in a purpose-built housing unit next to grassland paddocks.
Emyr recently hosted an open farm evening, giving the public an opportunity to view the stunning heifers and calves. People also got a chance to look around ‘Eve’s garden’, a delightful mix of flowers, fruit and vegetables, designed by Emyr and lovingly maintained in his wife’s name. Lord Digby-Jones, ex-director general of the CBI and patron of Ovarian Cancer Action, was guest speaker at the open evening, which was also attended by Malcolm Thomas MBE, chairman of R.A.B.I.
Becky Davies, R.A.B.I regional manager for North Wales, said: “Emyr’s story – and his commitment to both us and Ovarian Cancer Action – is remarkable. We’ve already received a cheque for £1,072. At the open evening a young local singer called Megan Keaveny performed one of Eve’s favourite songs ‘Coat of Many Colours’. I’m sure Eve would be very proud of everything that Emyr has achieved in her honour.”
Pictured above are (left to right) Malcolm Thomas, Emyr Wigley, and Lord Digby-Jones.
Excerpt from RABI website published 26 Feb 2020
Powys farmer
keeping his wife’s memory alive
Powys farmer Emyr Wigley met with volunteers to present them with a cheque for £1,500. He has now raised more than £11,000 for R.A.B.I since developing a unique herd of British Blue cattle in 2017 in memory of his late wife, Evelyn.
Emyr handed over his latest donation to members of the Montgomeryshire committee at a recent meeting.
Emyr’s Old Stackyard British Blue herd exists solely to raise funds for R.A.B.I and Ovarian Cancer Action, two charities close to his heart. Before their retirement, the Wigleys, from Llansantffraid, used to keep a small herd of British Blue cattle alongside a dairy herd. Following Evelyn’s death, Emyr decided to start another herd in her memory and began buying prime heifers from some of the UK’s top breeders.
The couple had sold their farm and built a house for their retirement, whilst keeping some land. However, Evelyn’s cancer diagnosis changed everything and sadly she passed away in October 2015, aged 69.
In order to develop his new herd Emyr had to start again, but he has received tremendous support from friends, businesses and the local community. This means he can keep his costs low and generate more money for his chosen charities when selling his cattle.
Pictured above is Emyr Wigley (far left) presenting the Montgomeryshire committee with the donation.
The second Open Farm was held 4 Sept 21, it was a lovely sunny day and lots of fun was had catching up with friends old and new.
Thank you to all who donated both money and/or raffle prizes as the absolutely amazing total of £3811.80
