30 September, 2011

As an insurer of people living and working in the countryside, Cornish Mutual likes to support activities that it considers to be part of the farming or rural community. This often takes the form of sponsorship and we support a range of events throughout the year, from the Cornwall Farm Business Awards - this year sponsoring their Victor Ludorum with a donation of £500 - to Young Farmers' competitions and agricultural shows.

This year, as always, we have supported events at a number of agricultural shows throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset - some of which we have attended, some we haven't. Our level of sponsorship varies from £50 for a cattle class to larger amounts - for example our support of the Countryside area at Stithians Show. At Cornwall Food & Drink Festival this month, we offered sponsorship in the form of insurance. At other events, we might give money towards prizes for the winners of the classes, poster printing costs or the rosettes which are presented to the winners.

In return for our help, we do ask for some form of promotion. This normally means that at the very least we want to be mentioned as a sponsor in the show schedule/catalogue, but can also include being mentioned on the show's website, the display of a Cornish Mutual banner, free trade stand space or free admission for our Inspectors - or the agreement of the people we're sponsoring to be involved in a press release. 

Aside from shows, we have supported the ARC Addington Fund again this year, as we feel the charity - which provides homes for families leaving the farming industry - plays a crucial role in our community. We have donated £10,000 towards the Fund's latest project - the conversion of disused barns, near Indian Queens in Cornwall, into affordable homes and workshops.

We have also provided the Young Farmers Clubs in our four counties with significant sponsorship this year. In return for this, they have each become involved in our Come Together, Eat Together campaign, helping to promote it and our charity Cookbook, and raising money for the region's Air Ambulances. For example, each Club held their own cooking competition this summer, using recipes mentioned in our Cookbook. The Clubs encouraged their members, friends and family to come along to the competitions, and the winners were noted in local news stories and papers.

If you live or work in the rural community of the South West, and feel your local event, agricultural show or charity could benefit from Cornish Mutual's support, we are happy to consider written applications. Please email marketing@cornishmutual.co.uk or write to Verity at Cornish Mutual, CMA House, Newham Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2SU.