The DkIT Agricultural Society (AgSoc) has moved its fundraising efforts online in a bid to support its two chosen charities through the ongoing Level 5 coronavirus restrictions.

With students learning from home, the society launched an online raffle with all proceeds going to Pieta House and North Louth Hospice and Homecare.

Speaking with the Irish Farmers Journal, society chair Catherine Smyth said: “The society is now in its third year and has really gained momentum in recent weeks.

“With current restrictions in place, our Zoom calls have been great for getting year groups to mix and having a forum to talk through outside of the usual college lectures.”

Outside the box

“The fundraiser has been active since 1 November and we have already raised over €1,800,” social media co-ordinator Sarah Armstrong told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“In the past, our fundraising efforts would have been on campus or during nights out in Dundalk, but with COVID-19 we had to think outside the box and decided to bring our efforts online.

“Companies have been very generous and have really got behind us with donations of some great prizes. We have 16 prizes on offer so far and we are continually adding to the list as new donations come in.”

Top prizes:

  • First: Platinum Agri half-tonne meal bin, 10 bags of Devenish feedstuff, one-year subscription to HerdWatch, and a €150 BullBank AI straw voucher.
  • Second: €500 EasyFix voucher, one-year subscription to AgriNet, €50 Progressive Genetics voucher, and Growvite.
  • Third: Anti-backing bar, one-year subscription to Agrinet, €100 AgriCam Voucher, two Agritech mineral buckets or bags.
  • After donating, email your donation receipt to dkitraffle@gmail.com along with your mobile number.

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