A 130-mile egg and spoon relay that ended up at last week’s British Pig & Poultry Fair, has raised more than £6,400 for the rural mental health charity YANA (You Are Not Alone), writes Meghan Taylor.
The relay, organised by the NFU, was held in memory of NFU poultry member, and former Poultry Industry Programme chair, Patrick Joice.
Mr Joice died from a rare form of cancer in 2019 and suffered heavily with depression following his diagnosis. Because of his struggles, he was committed to increasing awareness around mental health, specifically alongside YANA.
More than 30 people took part in the five-day relay, carrying an egg and spoon from the Joice’s family farm in Norfolk to the Pig and Poultry Fair in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, where the Joice family carried the egg over the finish line.
NFU poultry board chair James Mottershead, who took part in the relay, said: “This event was a fantastic way to show our support for charities like YANA, and honour Patrick’s legacy.”
“There are so many people who rely on charities like YANA to help support their mental health and every penny raised through this event will help YANA continue this vital work in rural communities.”
“I also hope this fundraiser helps to continue Patrick’s legacy in opening up the conversation around mental health, and shows anyone who may be struggling in silence that help is out there.”
For more information on YANA, which provides mental health support in East Anglia and Worcestershire for farming communities, please visit: www.yanahelp.org.
- Pictured, from left to right: NFU chief poultry adviser Aimee Mahony, Nigel Joice (Patrick’s father), Olivia Joice (Patrick’s daughter), Jack Joice (Patrick’s son), Zanna Joice (Patrick’s wife), NFU poultry adviser Tom Glen.