Richard Whitlock and Peter Kendall launch fundraising Farm Cycle Challenge

Peter Kendall and OFC 2015 Chairman, Richard Whitlock, will be cycling over 1000 miles between the NFU regional offices this summer to raise funds for Farm Africa, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute, The Addington Fund and The Farming Communities Network.

Peter Kendall, who served as President of the NFU for 8 years before stepping down at this year’s NFU Conference, will be joined for the ride by his friend and neighbour Richard Whitlock who will act as Oxford Farming Conference Chairman in 2015.

The pair will set off on June 16 on a national fundraising cycle ride to raise money from across the food and farming industry. The Farm Cycle Challenge will support UK agricultural charities the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the Addington Fund, the Farming Community Network, and Farm Africa, the charity working to end food poverty in Eastern Africa.

“People have told me I am mad to be even thinking about completing this challenge; mainly because I have only owned a bike for a few weeks,” said Peter. “But I am really up for the challenge.

“There is some fantastic work being done by these charities. The recent flooding crisis in parts of the country, and the overwhelming response to that, is testament to the importance of rural charities such as RABI, FCN and Addington, working tirelessly to ensure rural communities and farmers have a safety net during times of trouble. In the coming months this fundraising challenge will help keep the issues of recent months firmly in the media spotlight.

“And the NFU has supported Farm Africa since its centenary year in 2008 and I am proud to be continuing that support.

Richard added: “I must have hit that mid-life crisis point in my life when I’m still trying to hang on to my youth. Hence a soft top car and cycle challenges.

“These challenges are a great way to see the countryside, get fit and this year, raising money for four excellent agricultural charities. There are always people worse off than we are and it’s good to have the pain of a 1,000 mile cycle ride to help ease the pain for those who are not so fortunate. These four charities make a real in the field difference to people’s lives in our industry.”

To donate to the Farm Cycle Challenge log on to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/farmcyclechallenge