17/06/2026
๐ป ยฃ33,389.86 raised for Charity at Market Drayton Market ๐ป
On Wednesday 20th May 2026, Market Drayton Market hosted its Charity Farmers Day in aid of Lingen Davies Cancer Support, which is the region's primary cancer charity. The current ยฃ5million Sunflower Appeal ๐ป will deliver a dedicated new cancer centre at the Princess Royal Hospital.
Every pound raised was being match funded by Telford & Wrekin Council. By the end of the day, an outstanding ยฃ16,694.93 had been raised, taking the final total to a remarkable ยฃ33,389.86. ๐๐
Supported by farmers ๐, buyers, local businesses and the wider agricultural community, the day proved once again that when our local farming community gets behind a cause, it does so wholeheartedly.
At the heart of the day was a tremendous show of generosity. Nine animals ๐๐ were kindly donated and sold for charity, alongside an auction of promises, raffle prizes ๐๏ธ and trade stalls. The raffle alone raised ยฃ1,087.30, while 14 local businesses supported the event by donating to have a stall on the day.
The charity stock sale saw strong support from vendors and buyers alike. The Marrow family of Sandbach donated a Hereford heifer calf which sold for ยฃ550, while Tavernor Farming of Norton-in-Hales donated another Hereford heifer calf which sold for ยฃ540.
Other generous donations included calves from HW Chatham, Oldford Farms Ltd and others, with several lots being bought and re-sold to raise further funds. The sheep section was equally well supported, with hoggets and ewes donated by Mr Giles Ratcliffe, Mr Ed Martin, Mr Ed Bunning, and B. Lawton & Son. One lot of store hoggets, donated by Mr Ed Bunning of Morville, was bought and re-sold three times, raising ยฃ300, ยฃ250 and ยฃ210 from regular hogg purchasers. ๐
The biggest individual donations came from J Tucker Livestock, Devon, who bought a calf for ยฃ800 and put it back up to be re-sold, and Market Drayton Market Ltd, who donated 10% of the sale commission earned on the day.
The auction of promises brought plenty of competition and good humour ๐, not least for the charity cake ๐ made by Wendy Evans, winner of the 2025 Christmas Cake Competition. The cake was bought and re-sold an incredible ten times, raising a total of ยฃ1,870 from regular ringside prime cattle customers.
Further auction and raffle prizes were kindly donated by a large number of local agricultural businesses. Market Drayton Market would like to thank all those who donated raffle prizes, supported stalls, made significant donations, bought, bid, helped, and gave their time to make the day such a success. ๐
Market Drayton Market Managing Director, Bernie Hutchinson, said:
"We are absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity shown throughout the day. From those who donated stock and raffle prizes, to the buyers, bidders, businesses and everyone who supported us ringside, it was a tremendous effort. The farming community has a remarkable way of pulling together when it matters, and this total is something everyone involved should be very proud of."
๐ The final figure speaks for itself, but the real story of the day was found in the people around the ring, the vendors who gave, the buyers who bid, the businesses who supported, and the farming community that always comes together to raise money for good causes, even in the toughest of times.
