Michael Morpurgo’s Farms For City Children Charity Fundraiser

Following the success of a charity dinner held at RAMM two years ago they wanted to hold a similar event combining a wonderful dinner with a silent auction. Guests were treated to delicious cocktails on arrival and a fantastic Dartmoor Kitchen dinner. Throughout the evening they were invited to bid for all kinds of amazing lots including a week on the Isle of Mull, tickets for War Horse with a signed War Horse book, a ceramics course, case of champagne…..using large screens dotted around the Barn and iPads on the tables.

Dr Tessa Stone, Chief Executive of the Charity spoke about the charity’s wonderful work. Forty years ago Michael Morpurgo and his wife, bought Nethercott House with the idea that city children would be able to come to a Dartmoor farm to experience a bit of “muck and magic”. They now have two other farms, one in Wales and another near Bristol and every year 3,200 children spend a week getting in stuck in and enjoying all the countryside has to offer – fresh air, mud and manure. It gives them a chance to get out of the classroom and away from inner city life where, for many, a garden, rolling hills and real live animals are the kind of thing they would only see on the TV. As a result of a hardworking and fun week, children discover confidence and independence and self-esteem.

Charles Huntington-Whiteley, chair of the Finance Committee also spoke about the need to raise huge sums to fund the three farms but was delighted to announce at the end of the evening, £27,000 had been raised to go towards this amazing charity.