Farm Africa runner awarded Prime Minister’s Points of Light award

Charity marathoner and fundraising legend Tim Jury has received the prestigious Points of Light award from Prime Minister Theresa May in recognition of his incredible volunteering work for Farm Africa.

Tim Jury is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers. Every day someone in the country is chosen to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Whether Tim is putting on a barn dance in aid of Farm Africa or running the London marathon in a chicken suit, the Sussex sheep farmer has consistently gone the extra mile to raise both funds and awareness for Farm Africa — making him a deserving recipient of the prestigious award. This year Tim is running a whopping 30 marathons to mark 30 years of supporting Farm Africa.

In a personal letter to Tim, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The variety of innovative ways you have fundraised for Farm Africa is truly remarkable and I wish you the very best of luck as you complete 30 marathons, one for every year you have dedicated to the charity. By delivering talks about the vital work of this organisation, you are playing an important role in raising awareness of poverty and environmental sustainability in eastern Africa.”

It was after watching a harrowing series of reports by the BBC’s Michael Buerk on the 1984 Ethiopian famine that Tim decided he had to do whatever he could to help tackle hunger in eastern Africa.

Years later, Tim continues to support farmers in eastern Africa and find new ways to raise funds and awareness about the work Farm Africa does. To date, Tim has raised over £140,000 to help build a prosperous rural Africa.

Jenni Bright, Head of Fundraising for Farm Africa, said: “Farm Africa cannot thank Tim enough for his tireless commitment to supporting our work with farmers in eastern Africa. For over 30 years he has been one of our most generous and passionate advocates, whether organising fundraising events in his local East Sussex community or using his other great passion aside from farming, running, to raise an incredible amount of money for our work. Tim is a truly worthy recipient of this award and we are delighted that his contribution to improving the lives of farmers in eastern Africa is being so brilliantly recognised. Thank you, Tim!”

You can sponsor Tim’s inspirational efforts here.

Find out more about taking part in running and cycling events for Farm Africa.