A LLANSANTFFRAID farmer has raised thousands of pounds to keep his wife’s memory alive and help other farmers.

Emyr Wigley met with volunteers of farming charity R.A.B.I to present them with a cheque for £1,500.

It takes his total fundraising to £11,000 for R.A.B.I since developing a unique herd of British Blue cattle in 2017 in memory of his late wife, Evelyn.

Emyr handed over his latest donation to members of R.A.B.I’s Montgomeryshire committee at a recent meeting.

Emyr’s Old Stackyard British blue herd exists solely to raise funds for R.A.B.I and Ovarian Cancer Action, two charities close to his heart.

Before their retirement, the Wigleys, used to keep a small herd of British blue cattle alongside a dairy herd. After Evelyn’s death, Emyr decided to start another herd in her memory and began buying prime heifers from some of the UK’s top breeders.

The couple had sold their farm and built a house for their retirement, whilst keeping some land. But Evelyn’s cancer diagnosis changed everything and she died in October 2015, aged 69.

After developing his unique herd, Emyr said: “Evelyn and I built up a dairy herd with hard work and long hours.

“She was a very special lady, kind, caring and multi-talented and after a lifetime of work the majority of her retirement years were stolen from her. Whilst tragically it is too late to help my dear Evelyn, I wanted to do something to help combat this evil disease as a tribute to my wife.”

In order to develop his new herd Emyr had to start again, but he received tremendous support from friends, businesses and the community.

This means he can keep his costs low and generate more money for his chosen charities when selling his cattle.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) provides financial support, practical care and guidance to farming people of all ages.

The charity gave out about £2.9 million last year in Wales and England.

To fund its work R.A.B.I relies on its county committees, made up of voluntary fundraisers.