WOW on Wednesday for Embrace FARM

Schools, businesses, groups, and individuals in both urban and rural communities are now being urged to wear their wellies on WOW Day to raise vital funds to support farm families impacted by serious injury and sudden death. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke

Politicians wear them when they visit flooded towns. They are required footwear for farmers working the land. And they were once a style of military horse-riding boot.

But next Wednesday (January 31), the popular wellington will take on a leading role countrywide for the inaugural Embrace FARM 'Wear Our Wellies' (WOW) fundraising day.

The not-for-profit organisation was founded in Laois back in 2014 by husband and wife Brian and Norma Rohan, following the tragic loss of Brian’s father, Liam, in a farming accident.

Over the years, it has engaged with more than 400 farm families with its comforting and supportive embrace along with practical support in the aftermath of a traumatic incident.

Schools, businesses, groups, and individuals in both urban and rural communities are now being urged to wear their wellies on WOW Day to raise vital funds to support farm families impacted by serious injury and sudden death.

Norma Rohan said: “By including farming and non-farming communities, we are highlighting the emotional and practical devastation a serious injury or sudden death has on a farming family and the wider impact on the local community and society.” 

Funds raised will help Embrace FARM to continue to host events such as the annual remembrance service, family and widow bereavement weekends, and survivor support groups.

The support given will also help to ensure that those in need can have access to a team of mentors who specialise in the areas of counselling, legal, financial, and farm business.

Individuals and groups can help by wearing wellies and texting FARM to 50300 to donate €4 or inviting their friends to donate directly to the WOW iDonate fundraising page. Larger groups can also go a step further and organise a welly throwing championship.

The fundraiser follows the recent disclosure by the Health and Safety Authority that farming accounted for 16 fatalities in 2023.

HAS assistant chief executive Mark Cullen said farming, a high-risk sector, continues to account for the highest number of accident fatalities (37%), with over half of victims aged 65 and over.

Many farmers are self-employed and often work alone. There is a clear need for them to consider the work they plan on carrying out themselves and where they may need assistance from qualified and trained workers.

Risk assessments need to be completed in advance of the work being carried out, and appropriate preventative measures put in place to ensure those carrying out the work can do so safely.

The HAS conducted a week-long inspection campaign last November focusing on the health and well-being of farmers.

Research has shown that farmers are at higher risk of certain health and wellness conditions due to the nature of their work.

The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC), an advisory committee to the HSA Board, also developed a health and wellbeing guide for farmers, which was circulated to farms across Ireland.

As farming is unpredictable, demanding and often hazardous, HSA inspectors identified and discussed the risks posed by the above health and wellness conditions with farmers during the campaign.

HAS senior agriculture inspector Pat Griffin said it was critical farmers recognise any health problems early and get treatment from their healthcare practitioner as early as possible.

“Poor health and well-being can also increase the risk of having a serious or fatal injury on your farm,” he said.

Mr Griffin added: “We know farmers work hard to protect nature, the land, their animals and machinery, but it’s important that they also assess and protect their own health and wellbeing and ensure it's given priority in their working lives.

“The resources are available, and we would encourage all farmers to utilise them. Remember, the saying “your health is your wealth” is so true in farming”.

Back to the humble welly, which has itself an interesting origin story for those donning their boots next Wednesday. They were first designed after the Duke of Wellington asked his London shoemaker to make him footwear which would be easier to wear with new trousers.

The cobbler cut the boots lower to make them more comfortable for horse riding and they soon caught on. Now that's WOW.