Farmers invited to sell one animal for Self Help Africa
'Will You Sell ONE for Self Help Africa and Help Save a Life?' Westmeath farmers invited to stand together in powerful farmer-to-farmer appeal to support farming families across africa - special fundraising livestock sale at on Monday 28 September
A powerful act of compassion and solidarity is beginning to grow across rural Ireland this autumn, as farmers from County Westmeath are being invited to join a unique farmer-to-farmer fundraising appeal to support struggling farming families across Africa.
The message behind the campaign is simple, heartfelt and deeply meaningful: ‘Will you sell ONE animal so another farming family can survive?’
The ‘Midlands Fundraiser for Self Help Africa’ is an ambitious community-led appeal aiming to raise vital funds through a special livestock sale at Tullamore Mart on Monday 28 September, from which all proceeds will go to support Self Help Africa’s livestock and rural development programmes across Africa.
For generations, Westmeath farmers have understood the bond between people, animals and the land. They know the uncertainty of farming life, the worry of poor weather, rising costs, difficult seasons and the sleepless nights when the future feels uncertain.
They know what it means to depend on livestock. They know what it means to care for animals. And they know the difference that kindness from another farming family can make in a time of need.
That shared understanding of resilience is now inspiring Irish farmers to reach across continents and stand beside small-scale farming families in Africa who are facing unimaginable challenges caused by drought, floods, hunger, climate change, conflict and poverty.
Pat Mahon from Blueball, near Tullamore, is the founder and driving force behind the appeal. Pat is asking farmers throughout Westmeath and across Ireland to consider donating one male or female calf, or another suitable young animal over three months old, for the special charity auction in aid of Self Help Africa. The support already received from Tullamore Mart and the farming community has been described as “extraordinary, compassionate and deeply humbling”.
Pat said: “I have spent my whole life working with farmers and rural communities, and I know the goodness that exists in Irish farming families. Farmers understand hardship. They understand survival. They understand the importance of livestock and what one animal can mean to a family’s future.
“When a farmer in Ireland gives one animal, that act of generosity can help provide food, income, opportunity and hope to a farming family thousands of miles away. Farmers believe in giving people a hand up, not a hand out, and that is exactly the kind of support Self Help Africa provides.”
Pat says that several farmers have already committed animals to the fundraiser, but he hopes many more families, agricultural businesses, marts, organisations and rural communities will join the campaign. “There is incredible kindness in rural Ireland,” he said. “We have always understood the importance of neighbours helping neighbours. This fundraiser is about one farming community reaching out to another, farmer to farmer, family to family.”
The appeal has also been inspired by the humanitarian work of Ronan Scully of Self Help Africa, who has spent almost four decades supporting vulnerable communities across Africa. Through his work, Ronan has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of drought, hunger, flooding and displacement on rural families.
He has walked with communities where crops have failed, livestock have died and families have struggled to survive. But he has also witnessed something equally powerful – courage, resilience and hope. “In many African communities, livestock are life,” said Ronan. “A cow, goat, sheep or chickens can mean milk for children, income for education, nutrition for families and security during difficult times.
“The support raised from this fundraiser will help provide livestock breeding programmes, veterinary supports, training and rural development initiatives that allow families to build stronger, more sustainable futures. This is not about creating dependency – it’s about creating opportunity, dignity and hope.”
Self Help Africa works alongside farming families and rural communities across Africa, supporting sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, livestock development, water projects, women-led enterprises and programmes that help people feed their families and create independent futures.
The fundraiser also recognises the extraordinary contribution of women farmers around the world, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and community leaders whose strength and determination often keep families and communities alive during the most difficult circumstances.
Pat believes farmers in Westmeath can make a real and lasting difference. “We cannot solve every challenge facing the world,” he said, “but we can choose compassion. We can choose to help. One animal from one farm in Westmeath may seem like a small gesture, but somewhere in Africa it could become food for a child, security for a family and hope for a farmer who feels forgotten.”
FUNDRAISER DETAILS
Midlands fundraiser for Self Help Africa, supported by Tullamore Mart.
Farmers are invited to donate one animal (minimum three months old, male or female) in aid of Self Help Africa.
Animals can be collected or brought directly to the mart for sale.
All proceeds from the sale will go directly to Self Help Africa and its livestock and rural development programmes across Africa.
Sale date: Monday 28 September 2026.
To Donate an Animal or Learn More: Pat Mahon, 083 423 8887: patjoemahon@outlook.com.
Ronan Scully, Self Help Africa: 087 618 9094: ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org.