Mart auction fundraiser kicks off on Monday 23rd September

There are 22 marts in support of this fundraising initiative who have been collaborating with Rural Support in a bid to gain auction donations from a number of Agri businesses, individuals and contractors across the province. With over 200 items available at the auction, there is something for everyone. For a full list of auction items and what mart they are available at, please visit the Rural Support website www.ruralsupport.org.uk . Items will also be available through online bidding so please ensure you are registered with the appropriate online platform for each mart.

The dates and locations of the marts involved in this fundraiser are listed below with an approx. time of when the auction will take place:

· Armoy – Mon 23rd (6.30pm) & Wed 25th (7pm)

· Ballymena – Fri 27th (12 noon)

· Camlough – Wed 25th (11.30am)

· Clogher – Sat 28th (10am)

· Crossmaglen – Sat 28th (12.30pm)

· Donemanna – Sat 28th (12.30pm)

· Draperstown (O’Kanes) – Wed 25th (9pm)

· Draperstown (RB) – Fri 27th (12 noon)

· Dungannon – Wed 25th (12 noon)

· Enniskillen – Thurs 26th (1pm)

· Fivemiletown – Fri 27th (12.30pm)

· Gortin - Mon 23rd (8pm)

· Hilltown – Tues 24th (7pm)

· Keady – Fri 27th (1.30pm)

· Kilrea – Wed 25th (12 noon)

· Lisahally – Wed 25th (8pm)

· Markethill – Sat 28th (12.30pm)

· Newtownstewart – Sat 28th (12.30pm)

· Omagh – Mon 23rd (11.30am)

· Pomeroy – Thurs 26th (8.15pm)

· Rathfriland – Fri 27th (12 noon)

· Swatragh – Fri 27th (8pm)

Launched in 2021 by both the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Health, Life Beyond has supported many farming families to deal with their loss. The programme is unique to the farming community and offers:

• Tailored support according to each family’s individual needs

• Bereavement counselling that includes trauma support

• Mentoring support for the farm business

• Free, confidential and impartial guidance for all of the farm family

• Delivered in the privacy of the family home

Victoria Ross, Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator at Rural Support said, “We are delighted to be kicking off our Life Beyond Mart Auction Fundraiser on Monday 23rd September and continuing throughout the week, at 22 marts across the province. There are some fantastic items up for auction, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated to this vital service, we really appreciate your support. Rural Support needs to raise £150,000 each year to keep our bereavement support service going so every little bit helps. If you would like to support this charity auction you can purchase an item at your local mart or online, give to one of the donation buckets or donate online via the Rural Support JustGiving Page. Rural Support staff will be in attendance at all of the marts, and we welcome anyone who has any questions or queries about the free and confidential support we offer the farming community across Northern Ireland.”

If you would like to find out more information about the Life Beyond programme you can visit the NI Farm Support Hub on https://www.ruralsupport.org.uk/life-beyond/ or call the freephone confidential Support Line on 0800 138 1678.