FARMERS in Fermanagh have been tickled pink this silage season to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

Fields and farmyards across the county and province-wide have been dotted with pink silage bales, thanks to an initiative introduced by Northern Ireland distributor, Volac.

The campaign has struck a chord with Coa farmer, Thomas Farry and his family.

His brother, Lauri, died from lung cancer at the age of 49.

And his two sisters, who were diagnosed with breast cancer, had to have breasts removed.

“Thankfully they are both okay now,” he told the Impartial Reporter, “And they are fully behind this campaign.

“We were shocked to lose Lauri so young. He was diagnosed in November and he died the following August.

“It just came in very quickly on him.

“Cancer came to our door on more than one occasion. And that is why we want to raise awareness.” The idea behind the campaign is that the pink bales will be a visual reminder for women to attend breast screening appointments.

And it seems the eye-catching initiative has achieved exactly what was intended.

According to Thomas, the addition of pink silage wrap in fields across Fermanagh this year has been a huge talking point locally.

“There is a lot of excitement around Coa about it! This Facebook is spreading the word too!

“There is a big demand for it too. The pink wrap is quite hard to get. It just shows you the support for it.” Volac’s Northern Ireland manager, Alistair Sampson, is the man responsible for bringing the initiative, which originated in New Zealand, to local fields.

“For every roll I have I could sell 10 more,” he told the Impartial Reporter.

“This is the first time it has been done here and we really underestimated the demand there would be for it.

“It is unbelievable the support it has received. I can really see it becoming an annual thing.” For every pink roll purchased, £3 is donated to charity.

“There is not a home anywhere that hasn’t been touched in some way by cancer, directly or indirectly,” acknowledged Alistair.

“That is why people are so keen to show their support to this. Most people only buying a couple of rolls. But that is enough. Two rolls of film would roughly do about 70 to 80 bales -- and that really stands out in a field!

“If everybody buys a couple of rolls each, it becomes a great signal to send out to the general public.” Alistair says he is honoured to be in the unique position to potentially make a difference to people’s lives.

“I have heard a lot of personal stories from people as a result of this campaign,” he said, “I feel so privileged as the sales person behind this.” Women aged between 50 and 70, the most at risk age group, are called for breast screening every three years.

Volac hopes that the sight of pink big bales of silage will serve as an extra reminder that time taken for routine health checks could save your life.

To support the breast cancer awareness and fund raising campaign by baling silage in pink wrap contact Alistair on 078606 26442.