NI Ploughing Society — Rural charity stories tend to get a polite headline and a quick click-past. Most working farmers I know read them, then move on. This one is worth pausing on because the figure isn’t the point.
A thousand pounds from a 108-year-old ploughing society isn’t a corporate gesture. It’s the working capital of a voluntary committee, raised through entry fees, sponsor contributions, and the unpaid hours of people who run the match alongside their own farms. The Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice took £1,000 because the Killead committee decided it should, not because there was any external pressure for the donation. That’s the muscle memory of rural community holding itself together.
What strikes me is the persistence. 108 years means the society has outlived two world wars, the BSE crisis, foot and mouth, the 2008 crash, and Brexit. Every one of those events killed off rural institutions elsewhere. This one kept turning up. If your area still has a society like this, it’s earning its keep without anyone needing to ask. If it doesn’t, that’s worth a longer thought about what’s been lost and whether it can be rebuilt. Ask the older members where the money used to flow.
A Northern Ireland ploughing society has raised £1,000 for the only children’s hospice serving the region, highlighting the strong tradition of rural.
Killead society donates £1,000 to children’s hospice — NI Ploughing Society
Killead Ploughing Society has handed over a £1,000 cheque to Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice following its 108th annual ploughing match. The fundraiser took place last October on land at Lyehill in Templepatrick, Co. Antrim, provided by local farmer David Wallace. The event drew strong support from the local community, helping the society exceed expectations with its charitable giving.
Chair William Johnston expressed his appreciation for another successful year of ploughing. “Our annual autumn ploughing match was a great success,” he said. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued sponsors, the ploughmen, and everyone who contributed to the success of our 108th match. As a small organisation, it gives us great pleasure to present a cheque for £1,000 to our nominated charity.”
The cheque was formally presented to the hospice’s regional fundraiser, David Dixon, by society members. Dixon stressed the importance of such donations for an organisation that relies heavily on public support to keep its doors open.
Only children’s hospice in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice serves the entire region as its only dedicated facility of this kind. It provides specialist palliative care for babies and children with life-limiting illnesses. In 2024/2025, the hospice cared for 333 babies and children, alongside their parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family members.
Dixon outlined the range of supports available: “We provide specialist clinical care, practical nursing care, and emotional and psychological support. These services are delivered through our in-patient unit at Horizon House and in family homes right across Northern Ireland.”
The organisation is marking its 25th anniversary this year, having opened Horizon House in Newtownabbey in 2001. Dixon emphasised that most of the hospice’s funding comes from community donations rather than guaranteed state support, making events like the Killead ploughing match vital for sustaining operations. “Without that support, we would not be able to continue delivering the vital care services needed by families across Northern Ireland. The donation from Killead Ploughing Society will help ensure that the hospice can continue to provide important care and support,” he said.
What This Means for Farmers
For farmers across Northern Ireland and the wider UK, this story reflects a broader pattern of agricultural shows and societies stepping up to support local causes. Ploughing matches, county shows, and agricultural fairs have long served as community hubs where farmers and rural businesses contribute beyond their immediate industry. These events are increasingly expected to demonstrate community engagement alongside their primary purpose of showcasing skills and equipment.
The pressure on farming families is well documented. Many are dealing with squeezed margins, fluctuating commodity prices, and increased regulatory demands. Yet the willingness to give time, land, and resources to charitable causes remains embedded in rural culture. David Wallace’s provision of his own land for the Killead event exemplifies this tradition of reciprocal community support.
For agricultural societies planning their calendars, this £1,000 result demonstrates that local fundraising at ploughing matches can generate meaningful sums without requiring extensive administrative overhead. Societies with strong local connections and loyal sponsor networks tend to achieve better charitable outcomes. The key is having a nominated cause that resonates with members and supporters.
What to Do Next
If your agricultural society is looking to replicate this kind of fundraising success, start by selecting a charity that has direct relevance to your membership’s community. The Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice serves families that farming families may personally know or encounter. Personal connection drives participation.
Approach potential sponsors early in the planning process. Killead’s chair specifically thanked valued sponsors, indicating these relationships are cultivated and maintained over time. Sponsors appreciate recognition and the assurance that their contribution will generate visible community benefit.
Consider how to integrate the charitable dimension into the match day itself. Whether through collection buckets, auction items, or simply encouraging participants to nominate a cause, the presentation of the cheque should be a highlight that generates goodwill and media attention.
For individual farmers, supporting local shows and ploughing matches is one of the most direct ways to sustain community infrastructure. These events are increasingly under financial pressure, and declining attendance or participation directly affects their ability to raise funds for causes like this hospice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Killead Ploughing Society’s 108th annual match held?
The match took place in October on land at Lyehill in Templepatrick, Co. Antrim. The land was provided by local farmer David Wallace.
How much money did the ploughing society raise for the hospice?
Killead Ploughing Society raised £1,000, which was presented to Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice as its nominated charity.
How many children did the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice care for in 2024/2025?
The hospice cared for 333 babies and children, along with their parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family members.
When did Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice open?
The organisation opened Horizon House in Newtownabbey in 2001 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
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