We are absolutely thrilled to share the following press release, celebrating the generous support we have received from Britains Farm Toys. Happy 100th anniversary to Britains and happy Christmas everyone.
To mark its incredible 100 year anniversary milestone, Britains, Europe’s oldest specialist in agricultural toys and collectibles, is giving back to the industry by donating an amazing £10,000 to the remarkable educational charity Farms for City Children.
Britains’ generous £10,000 donation has supported St Peter’s Primary School from West London to enjoy a week-long visit to Lower Treginnis farm in Pembrokeshire, where a class of year 6 pupils have experienced life on a working farm.
Following a difficult 18 months, with many children required to home school, separated from their peers and stuck inside, the experience at Farms for City Children has given the pupils at St Peter’s Primary School an exciting educational break. With the opportunity to learn together outside of the classroom and away from technology, activities were led by the charity’s’ expert staff team made up of outdoor education instructors, former farmers and former teachers.
The children had the opportunity to make cakes and pies with fruits and vegetables harvested themselves from the farm, care for donkeys and newly hatched chicks, milk goats, and learn about local history and wildlife on bracing coastal walks. The experience has allowed them to work together as a team outside of their crowded city horizon, providing invaluable life experiences. In addition to the generous £10,000 donation which supported St Peter’s Primary Schools’ visit to Lower Treginnis farm, Britains has also given each pupil a special Christmas gift from Tractors and JCBs to Farm Sets, providing a memorable keepsake of their visit as well as bringing in the festive cheer.
Farms for City Children, founded in 1976, is a charity that gives school children aged 8 – 13, the chance to experience life on a working farm. With locations across Devon, Pembrokeshire and Gloucestershire, children and their teachers have the opportunity to work on the farm and explore the local countryside. Prioritising schools that score highly against particular criteria, which include the index of multiple deprivation and free school meal eligibility, the experience at Farms for City Children farms helps develop the children’s self-confidence, new friendships and experience completely new environments.
Mary Wood, General Manager UK and Ireland at TOMY, said: “This month marks the end of Britains incredible 100th anniversary and we couldn’t be prouder of all that Britains has achieved during its centenary. Our success is very much down to the support received from the incredible farming community which is why we wanted to ensure we gave back to the industry, and what better cause than the Farms for City Children charity.
“It’s wonderful to see how much the children at St Peter’s Primary School have enjoyed their time on the farm, and after such a difficult 18 months, it’s clear how learning with friends once again, away from technology and the city, has helped re-spark their love of learning. We’re so pleased to be able to help support this once in a lifetime experience for these wonderful year 6 children.”
Lisa Long Regional Corporate Fundraising Manager said: “We’re incredibly grateful for this wonderfully generous donation from Britains, and so pleased we can help celebrate their centenary year with them. The pandemic has been hard on us all, and we’re so pleased to be able to welcome children to our farms once again, helping them to learn and develop outside of the classroom. We hope St Peter’s Primary School has enjoyed their time with us this week, and what a way to end the week than an early visit from a special Britains Father Christmas!”
Dan, Farm School Manager at Lower Treginnis said: “Working with the children from St Peter’s this week has been wonderful. The children have loved every minute, even the early morning animal feeds, and have enjoyed spending time together and experiencing all the activities and amazing landscape we have here. We’re incredibly grateful to Britains for supporting our Farmers for a Week programme which helps city children to grow their self-confidence and ambitions by spending a magical week with us”.
