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Southern farmers’ generosity continues to fuel the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme fundraiser.
The scheme raises money to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural areas, IHC New Zealand fundraising national manager Greg Millar, of Wellington, said.
For nearly 45 years, farmers have pledged calves and the sale price gets donated to IHC.
Many farmers donate a virtual calf, either a one-off donation or a regular contribution.
On average, about 4000 farmers contributed to the fundraiser each year.
The scheme raised more than $1.5 million last year, the second highest amount in the history of the fundraiser.
“We had an amazing year.”
Farmers in Southland raised more than $183,000 last year.
“It is a great contribution from Southland.”
The amount raised from calf sales at southern saleyards last year includes about $22,000 at Balclutha Saleyards, nearly $40,000 at Charlton Saleyards near Gore, more than $94,000 at Lorneville Saleyards near Invercargill and about $184,000 at Temuka Saleyards.
The scheme had raised more than $45m for IHC since it was launched.
“It is amazing and we are incredibly grateful.”
The scheme was only possible thanks to the generosity and support of many people across rural New Zealand including the calf transporters, Allflex, which provides distinctive pink ear tags and PGG Wrightson, which auctioned most of the calves.
Calves supplied to PGG Wrightson for the fundraiser were in top condition and usually weighed more than 100kg, Mr Millars said.
“That’s why we get such good prices.”
Generations of families had given calves to the scheme and it was part of the fabric of their farm business.
“When I call farmers to say ‘thank you for your amazing support’, they don’t talk it up, they say ‘oh well, it is just what you do’.”
The money raised by the scheme helps people in rural communities, who could be vulnerable and isolated.
“We want to do everything we can to keep people with intellectual disabilities in their communities with their friends and family around them.”
Donate: www.ihc.org.nz/calf or phone 0800 442-500.
“It’s not too late to pledge a calf or make a virtual calf donation.”
