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IHC are celebrating 40 years of their Calf & Rural Scheme.
IHC national fundraising manager Greg Millar says the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme gives IHC an important connection to the rural sector and has evolved along with changes to the sector over 40 years, particularly as smaller farms and local relationships have given way to larger dairy units.
Legendary All Black Sir Colin Meads, a Waikato beef farmer and staunch supporter of the Calf Scheme, encouraged beef and sheep farmers to get involved too.
"He first threw his weight behind IHC when he stopped playing rugby, and we were privileged to have had the backing of the big man from 1974 for more than 40 years until his death in 2017," says Greg.
More than 10,000 dairy farmers have supported their communities over many years through this unique fundraiser. And as technology advanced on to farms, farmers began profiling their favourite cows and best milkers on Twitter and can now donate virtual animals along with the real ones.
"We are incredibly grateful to the many farmers who have supported us over the years - some of them down through generations," Greg Millar says.
"We're also enormously thankful for the partnerships with our sponsors - PGG Wrightson who has been with us from the start and VW who provvides us with Amarok vehicles and is matching donations from the public, dollar for dollar, this week. Go to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme webpage to make your donation."
The work done by IHC and funded by donations is critically important and can't happen without them. This includes work with families of children with intellectual disabilities, community support provided by nearly 30 local IHC associations, our strong advocacy voice, a library providing resources to families around the country, a volunteer friendship programme, a national art competition for people with intellectual disability, and support for a national kapa haka programme.
South Island agribusinesses Ngai Tahu Farming and PGG Wrightson were able to see first-hand the fruits of their continued support of IHC recently when members of IHC’s North Canterbury Kapa Haka ropu performed at Ngai Tahu’s Te Whenua Hou farm in North Canterbury.
PGG Wrightson has recommitted to continuing its support for the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme.
State farmer Pāmu is throwing its support behind three national charities this year.
Dairy farmers are keeping a dream alive for Karen Chapman, who grew up on a dairy farm in the small Waikato settlement of Otaua and has only ever wanted to milk cows.
IHC is hoping farmers who’ve previously supported its annual calf and rural scheme by donating animals for auction will this year give cash.
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