51AVÊÓƵ

The farming community are renowned for pulling together to support a good cause, and this year members of the Farmers Guardian team want to give back by taking on the task of a 24-hour walk across 43 miles of British countryside.

Raising awareness of two key issues facing farming, this year's ‘Big 51AVÊÓƵWalk' on July 7 and 8 will shine a spotlight on mental health and connecting the next generation with agriculture.

The donations will be made to Yellow Wellies in honour of Len's Light, and Farms For City Children to give the next generation a chance to experience farming.

Farms For City Children

Celebrating 50 years of giving farm experiences to thousands of children, Farms For City Children prides itself on being able to connect the next generation to the wonders of the countryside.

Established in 1976 by Clare and Michael Morpurgo, the charity welcomes children who, for various reasons, might not have access to the countryside, to three sites across Devon, Gloucestershire and Pembrokeshire offering immersive farm-to-fork experiences.

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Jo Wild, communications and marketing manager at Farms For City Children, says: "Children and young people are increasingly disconnected from food, farming and nature. We live in a fast-paced digital world and access to green spaces can be tricky."

And the benefits are undeniable too, from teamwork to a better understanding of food.

Jo says: "Children can challenge themselves; it builds up their confidence and these experiences open their horizons.

"It gives them a different way of working and they can take that back into the classroom."

Jo hopes more children can benefit from the charity's opportunities, so that more of the next generation can have a better appreciation of food, farming and nature.

And, of course, seeing the children develop new skills over their week's stay gives Jo all the reason she needs.

"You see the growth in a week, and every child takes away something different," says Jo.

"There are so many stories, but one that sticks with me is a boy from central London who loved the animals and nature, and at the end of the week [he] told us how he now wants to farm."

Len's Light

Set up in memory of their son Len Eadon, Lynda and Andy Eadon established Len's Light to raise awareness of mental health in the farming community.

Raising money for three core charities (Farming Community Network, Papyrus and Yellow Wellies) Lynda and Andy have worked tirelessly to help those who may be struggling.

But although discussions around mental health are getting better, there is still progress to be made.

"As an industry we all need to gain the ability and confidence to talk honestly and openly about how we truly feel," says Lynda.

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"The way forward is for all of us to feel able to start conversations. Once we do, we will be surprised where these conservations can lead. Talking not only gives you the chance to offload but also gives that opportunity to someone else and it may just save a life.

"Len's Light was set up in memory of our son Leonard who took his own life aged just 22. We are not a charity, but money raised for us is directed to charities which we work closely with and support those needing help."

In order to support others, the couple have produced a ‘5 A Day card' with these simple things to do:

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýBe honest with yourself and those around you

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýTalk openly about daily challenges and listen

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýCare for yourself as well as you care for othersÌý

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýContact that person you've been saying you should

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýPlan for the unexpected – make the right choices

Lynda urges everyone to remember there is help out there, that ‘everyone has a value and there is always someone who needs you in their life', and that looking after yourself is a priority.

She adds: "Farmers will spend long hours looking after their livestock, crops and machinery, tackling anything that is thrown at them – be it the weather, disease issues or regulations. These will always take priority over stopping to think about themselves and the impact these daily pressures are putting on them and their loved ones."

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This year's #farm24

This year, 24 Hours in Farming takes place on July 30. Help us tell farming's story by posting on social media using the hashtag #farm24 and tagging Farmers Guardian.Ìý

For more information, visit FarmersGuardian.com/farm24