Dale Farm raises £65,000 for Cancer Focus NI and extends charity partnership

Members of Dale Farm’s charity committee at Dale Farm House with Rosie Forsythe, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Cancer Focus NI. Pictured are: (back L-R) Carol Brownlee; Chloe Kyle; Caroline Martin; Lauren Shields; Helen Curtis; Tori Preece. (Front L-R) Front L-R: Cara Clarke; Rosie Forsythe; Gail McCullough.

Dale Farm has announced it raised a remarkable £65,000 for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland over the past year, thanks to the collective efforts of its employees, farmers, and suppliers.

The Northern Ireland-based dairy cooperative’s charity initiatives were spearheaded by its internal charity committee, comprising team members from across its regional sites.

The impressive total was achieved through a range of community-driven fundraising events. These included a company golf day, participation in the popular ‘Lap the Lough’ cycling event, group hikes in the Mourne Mountains, and festive raffles and quizzes.

A standout moment in the charity calendar was the inaugural Dale Farm Tractor Run in Ballymena, which saw more than 160 tractors, trucks and vans take to the roads in support of the cause.

The fundraising milestone also marks an upward trend from the previous year, during which Dale Farm raised £53,000 for the same charity.

Caroline Martin, Head of Corporate Marketing & Communications at Dale Farm, praised the hard work and dedication behind the fundraising efforts. She said:

“Cancer Focus Northern Ireland provides vital support and services for patients and their families affected by cancer and it is a charity very close to our Dale Farm community. Our charity committee has been working harder than ever in organising a variety of activities to ensure everyone in the wider Dale Farm team could play a part in supporting this amazing charity.

“To surpass the previous year’s total of £53,000 is incredible and is a testament to both the commitment of our fundraising team, and the generosity of our wider team of employees, farmers and suppliers.

“We have had the honour of supporting Cancer Focus NI since 2020 and I’m delighted that our partnership will continue for another two years. Plans are already underway for our 2025/26 fundraising, so stay tuned for further updates including the return of our popular golf day and tractor run.”

In addition to celebrating the fundraising total, Dale Farm has confirmed an extension to its charity partnership with Cancer Focus NI, which will now run until 2027. The renewed commitment ensures continued support for vital cancer services across Northern Ireland.

Rosie Forsythe, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Cancer Focus NI, expressed her appreciation:

“We are deeply grateful to the entire team at Dale Farm for their unwavering support and generosity. These funds will play a crucial role in delivering cancer support services to local people and will help fund our new therapeutic support centres in the future. The extension of our partnership means we can continue working together to make a real difference to the local people of Northern Ireland.”

Dale Farm’s ongoing efforts highlight the important role businesses can play in supporting local communities and charitable causes.

With plans already in motion for the next fundraising cycle, the cooperative is poised to continue its impactful contribution to cancer care in Northern Ireland.