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Seamus Hayes, past president of Macra (1979-81), is a supporter of a charity founded by Tracy Piggott called Playing for Life. Playing for Life works in Malawi, Kenya, and Tanzania. The organisation provides facilities for vocational education and training to young people who could never access education and who usually come from small farms and very remote rural areas.

Seamus said, 'As a past president of Macra na Feirme I recall the development of training programs for young farmers that were developed in the late 70s and early 80s and how they improved the basic skills such as welding etc on countless farms and indeed assisted some young men in starting an off farm enterprise. With this in mind I am seeking the support of Macra na Feirme Clubs and seek their financial support for this program. I am suggesting that a Macra club might adopt a student and raise the required funds to pay for his or her participation in this course for a year. The cost for each student is €1000 per student per year including the provision of the tools for qualified students.

'The student would have a direct link with the Macra club and we would furnish regular reports on their progress. We also organise a volunteer program to Malawi each year and if a branch member wished to participate in this program they would be very welcome to join the group and meet with the student and verify the work of Playing for Life on the ground.'

Further details are available at www.playingforlife.ie. Seamus is also contactable at hayes.seamus.p@gmail.com and 086 2307330.