Staff at Dalehead Foods in Linton have donated 275 pairs of boots, worth over £5,000 in total, to a charity in Nigeria which supports local farmers, with more boots expected to be donated in the months ahead.
The donated footwear is washed and sanitised before distribution and will help farmers work safer, particularly in the wetter months.
Rajesh Ramkhelawan, Dalehead SHE manager, explained that as a large employer they go through a great deal of footwear which is mandatory, but decided it was wasteful to get rid of boots that others could make good use of.
“I got in touch with Crossroads Global Village, a charity which supports development projects around the world. They got in touch with an NGO in Nigeria, Guildance Community Development Foundation, who were more than happy to have the boots sent to them,” said Mr Ramkhelawan.
“It’s really pleasing to hear that the boots are now being put to good use in Nigeria and we’ve been told the farmers are really pleased with the footwear. A big thanks to all the staff at Dalehead Foods Linton who have made this project happen.”
Matt Dight, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd., commented that it is about more than making good use of products we no longer need: “It’s about supporting developing communities, reducing waste and helping those less fortunate. This will be the first of many projects across our sites as we look at new and different ways we can safely reuse equipment and materials.”
Adisa Kabiru, president of the Guildance Community Development Foundation, said: thanked Dalehead Foods for the donation, and added: “There are many dangers faced by farmers in Nigeria, often because of a lack of appropriate footwear, including hazards on the ground and exposure to chemicals. The boots will be a very useful tool in eliminating those challenges, reducing the health threats to farmers and helping to improve efficiencies.”
