Emyr Wigley, a dairy farmer Wales, has already raised more than £121,000 for ovarian cancer charities as a tribute to his late wife, but hopes to raise £100,000 more when he sells his herd of 33 cattle at auction.
Wigley will sell his herd through auctioneers Halls during its annual sale of British Blue Cattle at the Shrewsbury Auction Centre on March 4.
Wigley’s wife, Evelyn, passed away at 69-years-old in 2015 after a battle with ovarian cancer.
After her death, Wigley, who lives at Deytheur, Llansantffraid, established the Old Stackyard British Blues – a small, closed breeding herd of pedigree British Blue cattle.
Wigley has split all the money raised from the sale of cattle over the past seven years between Ovarian Cancer Action and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
As he raises money for the charities, he hopes to raise awareness and educate people about ovarian cancer.
Wigley said that himself and Evelyn built up a dairy herd and managed to be successful “only by hard work and much self-sacrifice, with the business needs always coming first”.
They had plans to slow down in retirement, however these were halted when Evelyn got sick.
“Our plans to travel and to enjoy caravan holidays and walking in the beautiful British countryside, which we both loved, were put on hold until our retirement,” he said.
“It was a devastating blow to learn in the first few years of our retirement that Evelyn had ovarian cancer.
“She was a very special lady, kind, caring and multi-talented. After a lifetime of work, the majority of her retirement years were stolen from her.
“Whilst tragically too late to help my dear Evelyn, I had to do something to help combat this evil disease, as a tribute to my wife.”
‘Exceptional’ generosity
Both Ovarian Cancer Action and RABI have paid tribute to Wigley’s “exceptional generosity” and the “astounding” sum of money he has raised for the charities.
Claire Lubbock, Ovarian Cancer Action’s community and events manager, said: “At Ovarian Cancer Action, we are extremely grateful for the incredible funds Mr. Wigley has raised for our charity with over the years, all in memory of Mrs. Dilys Evelyn Wigley.
“As the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, this amazing and generous support has allowed us to focus on fuelling the breakthroughs we need in order to save the lives of more women – mothers, daughters, sisters and wives.
“Mr. Wigley is possibly our first and last supporter who has sold pedigree cows to raise funds, but his incredible inventiveness, enthusiasm and sheer hard work has made a big difference to what we do at Ovarian Cancer Action.
“To have raised £122,000 to support both our charity and RABI is exceptional, and it is with sadness and huge gratitude that we approach this final sale. This sale is hoped to raise enough to fund a specialist researcher for an entire year.”
RABI’s regional manager for the west Midlands, Kate Jones, said the charity is “so fortunate” to have Wigley as a supporter and contributor.
“The money Emyr has raised is being used to support the farming community when they need it most,” she said.
“Representatives from the Montgomeryshire and Shropshire RABI committees will be present at the Old Stackyard Blues dispersal sale on March 4, and we wish Emyr and Laura all the best.
“The sale will mark the end of an astounding chapter – such an amazing achievement. The positive impact the money he has raised has made and will continue to make on those struggling in the farming community is beyond comprehension.”
