The Farmers’ Charity Ball, held recently at Ludlow Racecourse, South Shropshire, has raised more than £30,000 for four charities supporting farming families and rural communities.

The new event was organised by members of South Shropshire NFU alongside current and past members of Ludlow Young Farmers Club in a collaborative effort that welcomed more than 370 people from across the farming community.

Explaining the motivation behind the event, one of the organisers, Nick Hamer said: “After a year that has tested the farming community, we wanted to create an evening where people could switch off, enjoy good food and each other’s company, while raising funds for causes that offer vital support when it’s needed most.

“We were overwhelmed by the response. Tables sold out within weeks, and the generosity shown by those attending on the night was incredible.

“We originally hoped to raise around £10,000 for charity, but the auction of promises and raffle helped us raise triple that, far exceeding all of our expectations.”

The evening was strengthened by generous backing from local and regional businesses, with headline sponsorship from ABP, McCartneys, NFU Mutual and Bromfield Sand and Gravel, alongside more than 32 businesses who kindly sponsored tables.

Additional support through auction promises and raffle prizes – kindly donated by members of the local farming community – further helped to maximise the total raised on the night.

Mr Hamer added: “The success of the inaugural Farmers’ Charity Ball is a real reflection of the generosity and resilience of the farming community.”

Funds raised have been shared between Teenage Cancer Trust, Shropshire Rural Support, Midlands Air Ambulance and RABI, all of which provide essential support to farming families and rural communities during times of crisis.

Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity particularly close to the hearts of Ludlow Young Farmers Club, explained Rowan Higginson, chair of Ludlow YFC.

“This charity means a great deal to everyone at Ludlow YFC as earlier this year, we sadly lost our much-loved friend and club member, Toby Griffiths, to cancer,” she said.

“Toby was the kind of person who could make you laugh at any moment, always offering a helping hand and always had a smile on his face. Supporting Teenage Cancer Trust is our way of honouring Toby’s memory.”