DEAR SIR: It is with a great amount of pride in our industry that I write this to say a massive thank you to my fellow dairy farmers. When the idea for the milk of a cow for a day or €10 from each dairy farmer in the country was proposed a few months ago, the hope was that we might get around half of the 16,000 farmers to donate to the appeal for humanitarian aid in Yemen.
Some great help came at critical times to get this project moving. It would be nice to mention these by name, but I would hate to forget anyone. This was indeed a massive joint venture.
Chairs and boards, media and a few key individuals pushed in the right way at the right time to make this proposal a reality.
The farmers’ fund finished at €180,000, well over the €10 target from each farmer. This was because farmers in Northern Ireland, individually and through a dairy business based there, also came on board.
ICOS was vital in making this a success. Its co-ordination of the collection of the money, administration and overall verification was vital. All of this ensures that the total collected will now get to where it is most needed, humanitarian aid for the dire situation in Yemen.
The Irish Red Cross has been on board right from the start of this project. It has the expertise and connections to ensure that the money collected gets to where it is most needed.
Another aspect of this appeal has been that the example set by dairy farmers has encouraged many others to donate to a matching fund run simultaneously by the Red Cross.
They have agreed to add this to the “farmers’ fund”. This means that the total joint fund is now €270,000. This is way beyond even the most optimistic estimate set at the outset.
Thoughts for the future:
Make this an annual event? The structures are there. If it could be organised on an opt-out basis it would be simple to do. June would be best. The dairy committee of ICOS might consider taking this on.When Ireland takes its seat on the UN security council, we should raise the issue of what is happening in Yemen to a level of international attention for action. I know Minister Coveney and he has the compassion and wisdom to take this on.We have a great industry. The response to this appeal has demonstrated how caring we are.
There are far too many in the world that need help but can be forgotten. It has been a most unusual year, with many worries and anxieties, but Irish dairy farmers didn’t forget the less well-off. Well done.
DEAR SIR: It is with a great amount of pride in our industry that I write this to say a massive thank you to my fellow dairy farmers. When the idea for the milk of a cow for a day or €10 from each dairy farmer in the country was proposed a few months ago, the hope was that we might get around half of the 16,000 farmers to donate to the appeal for humanitarian aid in Yemen.
Some great help came at critical times to get this project moving. It would be nice to mention these by name, but I would hate to forget anyone. This was indeed a massive joint venture.
Chairs and boards, media and a few key individuals pushed in the right way at the right time to make this proposal a reality.
The farmers’ fund finished at €180,000, well over the €10 target from each farmer. This was because farmers in Northern Ireland, individually and through a dairy business based there, also came on board.
ICOS was vital in making this a success. Its co-ordination of the collection of the money, administration and overall verification was vital. All of this ensures that the total collected will now get to where it is most needed, humanitarian aid for the dire situation in Yemen.
The Irish Red Cross has been on board right from the start of this project. It has the expertise and connections to ensure that the money collected gets to where it is most needed.
Another aspect of this appeal has been that the example set by dairy farmers has encouraged many others to donate to a matching fund run simultaneously by the Red Cross.
They have agreed to add this to the “farmers’ fund”. This means that the total joint fund is now €270,000. This is way beyond even the most optimistic estimate set at the outset.
Thoughts for the future:
Make this an annual event? The structures are there. If it could be organised on an opt-out basis it would be simple to do. June would be best. The dairy committee of ICOS might consider taking this on.When Ireland takes its seat on the UN security council, we should raise the issue of what is happening in Yemen to a level of international attention for action. I know Minister Coveney and he has the compassion and wisdom to take this on.We have a great industry. The response to this appeal has demonstrated how caring we are.
There are far too many in the world that need help but can be forgotten. It has been a most unusual year, with many worries and anxieties, but Irish dairy farmers didn’t forget the less well-off. Well done.
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