With the 2018 calving season currently underway, an engineering company in the west of Ireland is looking to give something back by doing its bit for charity.
Paul Lyons – the founder of Bo Steel, which is located close to Kilchreest in Co. Galway – was thinking of a special way to mark the business manufacturing its 1,000th calving gate.
Speaking to AgriLand, he said: “The calving gate is one of our most popular products. We always planned to do something to mark making our 1,000th gate.
Originally, we planned to just give it away in a draw; but, then we thought it would be nice to do something for charity.
After a bit of discussion, it was decided that the fundraising initiative would support breast cancer research. Lyons then contacted the Mayo Pink Ribbon charity to come on board.
The fundraising campaign kicked off on social media when a photoshopped image of a pink calving gate was posted on Facebook earlier this month, garnering thousands of views in a matter of hours.
Since then, Sperrin Galvanisers – located close to Loughrea in Co. Galway – has agreed to supply paint and galvanise the 1,000th gate for free.
The reaction from the public has been incredible, according to Lyons, with a glut of donations made to the fundraising page in the last couple of days.
Fundraising target
Originally, a target of €700 was set; this milestone has almost been reached already on the everydayhero.com fundraising page. Now, the aim is to reach €2,000 – with all funds going towards breast cancer research.
To be in with a chance to win the pink calving gate, you must make a donation to the fundraising page – which you can find here.
Alternatively, people can enter the competition by making a donation in person in a number of local shops in the Loughrea/Athenry area or by getting in contact with some of Bo Steel’s agents located across counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Clare.
Details of the draw will be announced in the coming weeks.
The campaign has also resulted in some customers specifically requesting to purchase calving gates in pink, with Bo Steel pledging to make a further donation to charity for every one of these gates sold.