JOHN FYALL has embarked on a shearing challenge to raise funds for farming charity RSABI.

With less shearers coming over to help with the national effort from abroad, John decided to lend a hand to busy shearers and is asking everyone he clips for to donate to RSABI for the sheep he shears.

"As well as financial support, donations help RSABI to provide practical and emotional support," explained John. "They are knowledgeable and understanding about specifically agricultural issues and a donation now is a contribution to the future wellbeing of our industry.

"I was always fascinated by sheep farming and wanted to go shearing; in my teens I helped on trailers and rolled wool and sheared a few. When I was 19, a car crash left me in pain bending for any time. I always sheared a handful most years but didn't try properly again. I have always kept an interest and do many commentaries and hosted courses.

"Last year we dispersed the stock and I started doing professional work full time again and have no hobbies to speak of," he continued. "Doing the 2020 RSABI press up challenge I felt quite fit and decided to shear a few more and managed between friends sheep to do several hundred.

"This year with poorer weather and Covid restrictions meaning less foreign shearers the season is well behind so I decided to buy a little second hand trailer and shear a few more. I don't want to compete for business and am only taking small lots referred by busy shearers, and fitting in a few round my company work with Highland Rural I would like to do 1000 sheep. Everyone I clip for will be asked to donate to RSABI for the sheep I shear and if anyone else wants to pop in a donation it would be appreciated.

"I also see many homegrown shearers coming on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months and if some of them could donate maybe the last cutter's worth of sheep on a big tally that would be appreciated. It would be good if this activity could also highlight the work RSABI do not just for farmers but those who support the industry such as the men and women working as shearing contractors."

If you would like to support John in his shearing effort, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=RSABIshearing