NFU member Anthony Froggatt has created a special edition of his ‘Just Crisps’ brand in support of his friend Rod Adlington who is currently halfway into a 3,200-mile charity challenge.
Anthony, who farms near Rugeley, in Staffordshire, is supporting Warwickshire NFU member and turkey farmer Rod Adlington and the Brightsides Rowing team as they take part in the Atlantic Dash.
Rod, a Central Warwickshire NFU member, from Balsall Common, near Solihull, is rowing in memory of his son Barney who died from meningitis 18 years ago, aged three.
Other crew members include Anna Williams, Alex Perry and Midlands farmer Guy Minshull.
The rowers set off from Lanzarote at the start of January and are making their way to Antigua using oar power and mental determination.
Read: Farmer’s Atlantic row in son’s memory.
Look out for the code on the crisps
Mr Froggatt and his wife Rebecca are behind the Just Oil and Just Crisps brand produced on the family farm at Wade Lane, Hill Ridware and they have added QR codes to their packaging which directs people to thebrightsidesrow.com – the rowers’ charity website.
Around 40,000 bags of the special edition Just Crisps have been sent to pubs, farm shops and independent retailers and people can scan the code and find out more about the challenge or donate.
“I just thought, what else could I do that was more than a donation?”
NFU member and potato grower Anthony Froggatt
Mr Froggatt said: “I have known Rod for many years, since I set the Just Oil brand up and he's a good friend and I just wanted to do what I could to help.
“I think it is great the team have got past the halfway mark and are now on the home stretch.
“They are also making really good progress towards raising a substantial amount for charity.”
The Brightside team are rowing for cancer charity Get Ahead and Meningitis Now, of which Rod is a trustee, and they have set a weighty £250,000 fundraising goal which currently stands at just over £100,000.
“I just thought, what else could I do that was more than a donation?” Mr Froggatt said.
“All power to them as there is no way on Earth you would get me in that boat. There are some really big waves in the Atlantic so there’s absolutely no way I would do it, but of course I'm wishing Rod and the team the very best.
“I look forward to congratulating them when the challenge comes to an end and Rod is back on dry land.”
For more information and to donate, head to: thebrightsidesrow.com.
The Get Ahead Charitable Trust helps make life better for those suffering from head and neck diseases and those wo care for them. Further details are available at: getahead.org.uk.