HANLEY Castle High School student Jack Walton will be taking a summer holiday with a difference – by visiting livestock markets up and down the country to raise money for charity.
Jack has just completed his A Level studies and, pending his exam results, will be off to the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester to study rural land management in September.
Over the course of the next six weeks, Jack is planning to visit 25 livestock markets from the north of Scotland to the south-west of England to raise money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the RSABI (formerly known as the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution), who support the farming communities in times of financial difficulty.
Jack, who will heading from Dingwall to Truro including Worcester and Hereford on his trip, is hoping to collect £500 and has raised more than £300 so far.
He said: “For as long as I can remember I have loved attending livestock markets with my grandfather Michael Walton, I was always itching to have a go on the rostrum.
“I have been lucky enough to help at Worcester Livestock Market for the last three years where I have learnt many skills.”
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin met Jack at the recent Royal Three Counties Show and offered her support by donating £25 to the cause.
Mrs Baldwin said: “Jack is a great ambassador, not only for his school but also the wider farming community and it was great to meet him and talk about his challenge.
“He clearly has a passion for farming and I wish him good luck both during the challenge and as he embarks on a career in agriculture. I am so pleased to be able to contribute to his fund-raising.
“The Royal Three Counties Show is an outstanding showcase for our local farming talent with hundreds of thousands of people visiting Malvern.
“It has become one of the best shows in the country and the team do an amazing job welcoming guests from all over the country and the world.”
To donate to Jack’s journey, visit www.bit.ly/29tBgig.
