Name game wants cash on the lamb for charity
AS lambing season approaches people are being given the chance to name a newborn animal while helping raise money for a worthy cause.
Chris Thompson, who is a hobby shepherd from Bollington, has devised ‘Name a Lamb....in aid of Maggie’s Manchester’.
It aims to raise £4,000 for the charity which provides practical and emotional support to those living with cancer.
Anyone taking part can select a lamb and have its coat sprayed with the desired monicker with non-toxic colouring.
Chris said: “There were around 450 lambs named last year, the majority of which are named by Helen and Stephen Sheldon at Sugar Lane farm in Adlington.
“My wife Carolyn and I are hobby shepherds so the remainder are located on the land we use, which is adjacent to the Bulls Head pub in Kerridge.
“We ask for a minimum donation of £5. People wishing to donate simply visit the just giving page, provide their name and the name they wish to have on the lamb.
“People will often reference who they donating for, typically be a relative or friend on a cancer journey or other illness or to celebrate a significant occasion such as a birthday or anniversary.
“We also get quite a lot ad hoc requests.
“We’ve had Lamborghini, the Take That band members and footballers.
“Once the lamb has been named, we notify the individual, send them a photograph and publish it on our name a lamb Facebook group page.”
Chris added that a major part of what they want to achieve, apart from raising money, is to boost the profile of Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Manchester. He and his family have used the charity, which provides practical and emotional support, after he himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012.
Chris said: “Following last year’s activity, we are aware that a number of local residents discovered the centre and were able to benefit from its services.”
The fundraiser began in 2016 when a man contacted Sugar Lane Farm to ask if a lamb could be named after his grandchild. This sparked the idea to do this on a large scale for charity.
Lambing season is from the end of February until May. People can name their lamb by going to https://www.justgiving. com/ Chris-Thompson71.