Farmers turned out in force from across Shropshire and bordering counties to celebrate the 20^th birthday of Shrewsbury Auction Centre and donate money to Lingen Davies Cancer Support.

Inspiring stories of cancer treatment received by farmers and their families provided the backdrop to a hugely successful Lingen Davies Farmers Day held by Halls Auctioneers at the Battlefield livestock market.

Some farmers donated the proceeds of their sheep, cattle and calf sales, others made cash donations to Lingen Davies Cancer Support who have launched a £5 million Sunflower Appeal to open a cancer centre with 30 chemotherapy bays at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital by 2029.

The money raised for the charity at Halls' weekly Tuesday market is still being counted but, as Telford & Wrekin Council has agreed to match fund up to £250,000 of donations made to the Lingen Davies Sunflower Appeal, this contribution will have double the impact. Nearly £1,000 was donated in Lingen Davies collection buckets.

The idea of the Lingen Davies Farmers Day was the brainwave of Stuart Ashley, a sheep and beef farmer from Cothercott, near Shrewsbury. He was supported by Halls director James F. Evans, Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager Jonny Dymond and the charity’s fundraising team and its Shrewsbury fundraising committee, of which he is a member.

Halls has agreed to extend fundraising for the charity until the end of the month, giving farmers and buyers the chance to donate at other livestock markets and Shrewsbury Plant and Machinery Sale. 

“It has been an amazing day,” said Stuart. “All sections of the market have been well supported by farmers.

“The biggest things I am taking away are the stories of why farmers have donated and how important today has been. There have been some great prices paid for donated livestock and farmers have donated money into buckets.

“I am very happy and proud that we have been able to do this with the support of Halls, the Lingen Davies Fundraising Committee and the farmers. A massive thank you to all of them.”

Farmer’s daughter Angela Hill, a Lingen Davies Cancer Support community fundraiser and chairman of the charity’s Shrewsbury Fundraising Committee, was successfully treated for cancer 10 years ago.

“Farmers turned out in droves to support the market and many wonderful stories about the support they and members of their families have received at the Lingen Davies Centre were told” she said. “It’s amazing how many people we touch.

“People approached the Lingen Davies collectors and me and said: ‘Thank you for what you do. We received great treatment at the centre.

“With Halls extending the fundraising until the end of April, I think the support is going to grow and grow.”

James F. Evans, who sold sheep at the market, thanked farmers for their “fantastic” support. “It was a very fitting way to celebrate the 20^th birthday of Shrewsbury Auction Centre on this site and the whole team is delighted that the day was so successful,” he said.

Farmer Robert Adams, from Market Drayton, who is having cancer treatment for the second time at the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre in Shrewsbury, raised £820 by buying a calf and immediately donating it for auction again for the charity.

He urged farmers to seek medical advice immediately if they notice a change to their body, stressing that the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of survival.

Another calf donated by Andrew Crowther was bought by Colin Evans for £780 while two hoggets donated by Richard Ratcliffe of Buildwas sold for £127 to buyer John Bithell.

Richard said he decided to donate the two hoggets after speaking to Mr Ashley a and Shropshire YFC has also nominated Lingen Davies as their charity this year. “I think everybody knows someone who has gone through cancer,” he added.

Lingen Davies Shrewsbury Fundraising Committee member Sarah Davies, her husband Rob and father-in-law Jim Davies from Longnor, donated a ewe and lamb which sold for £305 to David Manning from Bomere Heath.

“We have been touched by cancer and I think the farmers day is a brilliant idea,” said Sarah. “Apart from raising a lot of money, this event raises awareness of cancer. Hopefully, it will make people think about their health and get checked out.”

Mr Manning, who is still being treated for prostate cancer diagnosed 10 years ago, said: “When I attended Lingen Davies Cancer Centre for treatment I wasn’t nervous because the doctors and nursing staff always made me feel relaxed.

“I couldn’t have radiotherapy because the cancer had gone into the bones. However, I had a bone scan a year ago, and it had gone. I bought the ewe and lamb because I wanted to give something back.”

Currently, patients from the Telford area must travel to the busy Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, which also serves the Shrewsbury area and Mid Wales.