Meaty challenge ahead for Derbyshire fundraisers

A group of Derbyshire fundraisers are undertaking a meaty challenge during Great British Beef Week '“ cycling 300 miles to raise money for farming people in financial hardship.
Bakewell Livestock Market 29 January 2015Bakewell Livestock Market 29 January 2015
Bakewell Livestock Market 29 January 2015

Great British Beef Week begins on St George’s Day –April 23 – and runs to May 2.

Organised by Ladies in Beef – a group of female beef farmers – this year’s campaign will focus on celebrating the humble sandwich which, research shows, is increasingly becoming the meal of choice for time-pressed families. The campaign will educate consumers about getting the best from their beef, from creating a celebration roast for St George’s Day to using up leftovers.

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Farming’s oldest charity, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is Ladies in Beef’s chosen campaign charity for the fourth year.

There will be a host of activities during Great British Beef Week and the Derbyshire RABI committee will be in the thick of things – visiting eight auction marts in the East Midlands on their bikes over two days. They will set off from Bakewell at 8am on April 21, taking in the sights of Derby, Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough, Thrapston, Spalding, Louth and Newark, before returning to Bakewell at 4pm on April 23.

Last year, the Derbyshire group was forced to cancel a proposed 300-mile ride because lead cyclist Alastair Sneddon broke a bone in his foot just a few weeks before the event was due to take place.

Alastair said: “I’m hoping nothing will go wrong this year and we can raise vital funds for RABI whilst promoting the versatility of British beef. I expect to be saddle sore but, as this is Great British Beef Week, I can hardly complain about a tender rump!”

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Angela Sargent, chairman of the Derbyshire RABI committee and a member of Ladies in Beef, added: “It’s a fun event with a serious message. We want to promote British beef as part of a healthy diet and inform people about the role livestock production plays in countryside management.”