Charities We Support

Charities We Support

A big part of GRASSMEN is our charity efforts. Each year we support different charities in many different ways, whether that be fundraising, goodie bags or training days. We firmly believe each and every charity is doing a fantastic job and we are proud to help them in any way we can.

 

Make a Wish

Who is Make-A-Wish?

Make-A-Wish has one simple aim – to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, to bring hope, strength and happiness. Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with serious illnesses.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

As a company we raffled our famous Fiat 110-90 and Ford TW-35. Over the course of 18 months we raised an amazing £250,000 for Make-A-Wish!

 

Watch our Fiat 110-90 raffle

Ploughing 2016 Raffle Winners

1st Place - Johnny Quinlan
2nd Place - David Poyntz
3rd Place - Donald Finnegan

Watch our Ford Tw-35 raffle

Saying Goodbye to the Ford TW-35

On the 8th December 2017 we finally put closure on our 18 month project to raise over £200,000 for Make-A-Wish. On this night at GRASSMEN HQ, we held a small tractor run for Kirkinriola Primary School with the intention to raffle off the TW-35 and runner up prizes after the run was complete.

Despite the snow, this was a massive success; we smashed our target for the Make-A-Wish project, and this video contains some of the machines that came out that evening to support our efforts, the draw, as well as the delivery to the lucky winner, an 11 year old from Co. Antrim. This young man bought a ticket at the Highland Show in June 2017, it could have went anywhere but ended up close to home. We hope whatever he/his family chooses to do with the machine that it serves him well in life.

Thanks to all who supported us in our efforts, not only with the charity raffles, but everyone who buys our products, and we hope to raise the bar again in 2018.

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Cancer Fund for Children

Who is Cancer Fund for Children?

From the point of diagnosis our team of Cancer Support Specialists are here to help, guide and support families at home, in their community, and at our therapeutic short break and residential centre in Newcastle, Co. Down. Our support is focused not just on the young person, but on the whole family.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

GRASSMEN was invited to join the 32 County Bale Challenge in 2017. The amazing efforts of all involved raised €60,000, to split between the Cancer Fund for Children and Ronald McDonald House.

 

Watch 32 County Bale Highlights

Watch 32 County Bale Highlights

We are working on a short series of videos from our week on the Bale Challenge last year - getting owner and dealer perspectives on machines used throughout the challenge.

First up is 'Wee Pete' who drove the Kubota and his own Kuhn baler on the challenge, a machine that took a surprising amount of oil flow and genuinely tested the Kubota. What were his honest thoughts on the tractor now that it's all said and done?

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Helping Hand

Who is Helping Hand?

Helping Hand is a charity within the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Helping Hand helps by providing the best equipment, funds research, education and supports the immediate needs of children and their parents.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

We helped organise and participated in a 24 hour walk in 2020 to raise funds for the Helping Hands Charity based in the PICU ward at Royal Victoria Hospital. An amazing total of £66,266.82 was raised from this event.

 

Watch the 24 Hour Helping Hand walk

24 Hour Walk for Hannah's PICU Fundraiser

At the weekend we witnessed these guys take on a challenge that we couldn't attempt in our wildest dreams! 24 hours of non stop walking. They came up against wind, rain and baking sun not to mention multiple blisters and seized muscles all in aid of Helping Hand, a charity for the children's ward in Belfast Royal Hospital. We went along to show our support and to try and capture their journey as best we could.

Hannah's PICU Fundraiser is still active so follow the link below to read their story and donate.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hannahs-picu-fundraiser

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Angel Wishes

 

Who is Angel Wishes?

They aim to provide presents and treats to every child in the oncology/haematology ward in Belfast. Angel Wishes give as much normality to the family as possible by providing private viewings for individual families at the cinema or private boxes for individual families at concerts, shows and special events.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

GRASSMEN have helped make wishes come to life for kids across the globe with both Donkey & Kirstie being involved.

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The Smiles Foundation

 

What is Smiles Foundation?

The smiles foundation are a Christian Charity working in Romania with disadvantaged Children, Families, Minority groups, the Homeless, Disabled, Abused and the Elderly.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

We are great believers in doing and not just giving. Shortly after our Directors son was born, he decided we needed to do something special. So, Gareth and Gary loaded up Eva-Rose and headed off with a load of hospital beds to a disabled children’s hospital just outside Oradea in Romania.

 

Find out more from our video of the trip > Romania Aid Run

Romania Aid Run 2016

Here is a short video we made from our week long aid to to Romania in support of the Smiles Foundation in Oradea.

Gareth and Gary talk about what they took away from the trip, the challenges they faced and still try to have a bit of a laugh along the way. Stay tuned for more videos like this as well as our usual content coming very shortly!

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Lough Neagh Rescue

 

What is Lough Neagh Rescue?

Lough Neagh Rescue is a voluntary search and rescue organisation based on the shores of Lough Neagh.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

We got behind these guys with their tractor run to raise much needed funds. Donkey & Kirstie even got a trip on the boat!

 

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Ronald McDonald House

 

What is Ronald McDonald House?

A Ronald McDonald House is a comfortable and welcoming place for families with sick children to rest, just steps away from the hospital.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

GRASSMEN got involved with the 32 County Bale Challange, where an amazing effort was made to raise €60,000. This was split between the Ronald McDonald House & Cancer Fund for Children. 5 tractors, 1135 miles, 6 days. 

 

Watch 32 County Bale Highlights

32 County Bale Challenge Extra Content - Massey Fever!!

We caught up with Kevin Gribben @ McElderrys - who have supported us through the years, especially last season on the bale challenge, when they supplied us with a Massey for our Nicolle to drive for the week.

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Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

 

What is Air Ambulance Northern Ireland?

Air Ambulance NI provides the only Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the region. Serious or life-threatening situations can happen to anyone at any time and on average, every single day in Northern Ireland, one individual finds themselves in desperate need of AANI. The charity’s operational helicopter carries a crew compiling of pilot, doctor, and paramedic. They attend some of the most traumatic medical incidents across the province and are dedicated to delivering the very best possible pre-hospital care, both at the scene and whilst transferring the patient to the most appropriate hospital for their specific injuries.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

We have supported many events such as tractor runs across the country to raise much needed funds. We take pride that we also hosted the Air Ambulance Northern Irelands first training day in an agriculture setting.

 

Watch AANI Training day at GRASSMEN HQ

Air Ambulance NI Training Day

This is something a little different. We were delighted to have the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland at Grassmen HQ recently to carry out their first ever training day focused solely on rural scenarios.

What these guys do is simply amazing but the AANI is a charity and they rely on public donations to stay in the air. Hopefully this video will help you to realise just how vital they are to the rural community and if you are interested in finding out more or would like to give a donation then follow the link to visit their website. https://www.airambulanceni.org/

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Cash for Kids

What is Cash for Kids?

Cash for Kids mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in our communities who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. We believe that all children should be able to express their individuality, achieve their potential and live life to the full.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

Every year we at GRASSMEN set up a stand in our Flagship store for people to donate gifts to kids at all ages. We have ran promotional videos to encourage people and also donate items ourselves. We think it is very important that every child wakes up with a present on Christmas morning.

 

 

Watch how we helped!

VLOG - Cash for Kids Mission Christmas!

We are very excited to announce that we are supporting the Cash For Kids Mission Christmas Project! Their aim is to ensure those less fortunate children in our local communities all have a gift to open on Christmas day.

Our shop in the Tower Centre in Ballymena in an official drop off point for gifts. You can pop in anytime with a gift of any value, big or small and we will make sure and pass it onto Santa in time for Christmas. Some of our wholsalers from all over Northern Ireland have already got on board including B. McNamee and Co. - Newtonstewart M. Beattie and Son. - Newtonstewart Montgomery's - Newbuildings Fane Vally Stores - Omagh McIlderry's - Ballymoney NC Engineering - Hamiltonsbawn, Armagh Thank you from the team at Grassmen to all those who have helped support this project so far!

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Project Santa

 

What is Project Santa?

Project Santa is hosted by Specialist Joinery at their factory in Maghera. The floors are cleared and an array of fun-filled activities are created for kids of all ages. The proceedings go to numerous different charities each year.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

GRASSMEN teamed up with Specialist Joinery to help promote the event and lend machinery for the kids to look around and help Santa deliver all the presents. In 2019 the event raised £73,500 which was split between nineteen different charities

 

Watch how we helped

VLOG - PROJECT SANTA

We caught up with Ciaran from SJG during the week to learn more about a very special project they are running next weekend for all the family - Project Santa.

The entire warehouse is turned into a winter wonderland for children, with proceeds going to a great cause. Rumour has it the big man himself, Santa Claus, will be flying in for the event... Food, bouncy castles and entertainment, inside a heated building, ensure the whole family will have a great day out.

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Who is Muscular Dystrophy Campaign?

Muscular Dystrophy support families living with muscle-wasting conditions. They provide vital information, advice, resources and support for people with these conditions, their families and the professionals who work with them.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

When GRASSMEN first started to release DVD titles we held launch nights. From these evenings all monies collected was split between Muscular Dystrophy and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

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Marie Curie

 

Who is Marie Curie?

Marie Curie aim to help people and their families living with a terminal illness make the most of the time they have together by deliverying expert care, emotional support, research and guidance. They ensure a better life for people and their families living with a terminal illness.

 

How did GRASSMEN help?

When GRASSMEN first started to release DVD titles we held launch nights. From these evenings all monies collected was split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Muscular Dystophy.

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