Pink bales cancer campaign set to return

Organisers are keen to capitalise on the success of the popular initiative from last year when more than double the amount was raised compared to the year before for the Breast Cancer Now charity through sales of the distinctive pink bale film.

The charity, the UK’s largest focused on funding breast cancer research, receives a donation every time a farmer purchases a roll from producers Volac.

More than £26,000 was raised in 2016, up from a total that topped £10,000 a year earlier.

Jackie Bradley, product manager for Volac, said: “This latest fantastic result highlights the generosity of the farming community and those connected with it. We can’t wait to see what can be achieved in 2017.

“Silage bales made from grass and other crops for feeding to livestock are wrapped in film to preserve them – so rather than the usual green or black film, why not another colour?

“The great thing about pink is that it’s so eye-catching in fields, so it helps to raise awareness of this fantastic cause. They attract a lot of interest from the public. Pictures of pink bales have been all over social media.”

As well as demonstrating their support by wrapping bales in pink, farmers have also been able to support the campaign by attaching special pink stickers to more usual-coloured silage bales.

Volac has also raised funds by collecting donations at various agricultural events and through other fundraising challenges involving the firm’s staff. Donations to the campaign also came from Trioplast, the film manufacturer, and from merchants supplying the film to farmers.

Lorna Thomas, community engagement officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: “We hope the pink silage wraps will continue to be a big success in 2017.”