In September, 22 marts across Northern Ireland joined forces and hosted a Mart Auction Fundraiser in aid of Rural Support’s Life Beyond bereavement support programme, raising an incredible £87,532.54.

Life Beyond was launched in August 2021 and provides support for farming families in Northern Ireland who have experienced loss through a farm accident, suicide, unexpected or expected death and is facilitated in partnership with Embrace FARM.

Since its launch, more than 80 farming families from across the province have received counselling and farm business support in their time of need and beyond.

Kevin Doherty, CEO of Rural Support, commented: “We are extremely thankful to all the marts involved for their support and commitment to the charity. What they have helped us achieve through this initiative is extraordinary.

George Mullan, Chairperson of the Life Beyond Steering Committee, pictured with representatives from the Mart Association.

placeholder image — George Mullan, Chairperson of the Life Beyond Steering Committee, pictured with representatives from the Mart Association.

"This is a much-needed programme for our farming community and these funds will ensure we can continue to provide emotional wellbeing and business support to farming families who are in a period of great sorrow and loss. I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who was involved in this fundraising event, you have helped to make a positive impact on the lives of numerous farming families across Northern Ireland.”

Plumbridge Mart was the inspiration behind this fundraiser, having held a charity auction for Rural Support in December of last year, which raised over £14,000 for the farm support charity. The marts involved in this fundraising initiative were: Armoy, Ballymena, Camlough, Clogher, Crossmaglen, Donemana, Draperstown (O’Kanes), Draperstown (Richard Beattie), Dungannon, Enniskillen, Fivemiletown, Gortin, Hilltown, Keady, Kilrea, Lisahally, Markethill, Newtownstewart, Omagh, Pomeroy, Rathfriland and Swatragh.

“As Chair for the Life Beyond Steering Group, I am both delighted and overwhelmed with the help and generosity towards our fundraiser," said George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP.

"With over 250 items donated by various businesses and individuals across Northern Ireland, it is very encouraging to see the impact this has made in terms of the amount raised.

"We are very grateful for the genuine support and enthusiasm of the farming community who got behind this fundraiser and made an incredible impact in aid of Life Beyond. Their generosity has been remarkable and will make a substantial difference to our bereavement support programme."

Life Beyond provides a unique combination of support, specifically tailored to what each family needs, with an all-in approach that incorporates various aspects of the farming family and the farming enterprise that has been affected by loss. It provides farm business, financial and technical mentoring support, alongside emotional health, and bereavement counselling including trauma support where needed. It also works with farmers and their families where there is a terminal diagnosis within the family, in order to help them plan and to give them space to spend time with their loved ones.

Do you think you could benefit from the services of Life Beyond?

If you or someone you know would benefit from the Life beyond Programme or from speaking with a member of the Rural Support team, please call their free confidential Support Line on 0800 138 1678, open Monday - Friday 9am – 9pm.