by Julie Hazelton
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and the Laurel House Chemotherapy Unit at Antrim Area Hospital are set to benefit from the proceeds of a charity raffle organised by the Forsythe family from Moneymore.
Launched recently, the grand charity raffle in memory of Keith Forsythe provides Aberdeen Angus cattle breeders with an opportunity to win a pedigree yearling heifer from the Forsythe family’s award winning and highly prolific Evana cow family.
Owned by Neville, Marian and Ivan Forsythe, the Coltrim prefix dates back to 1928 and is one of Northern Ireland’s long-established and highly respected Aberdeen Angus herds.
Ivan Forsythe explained: “We decided to organise the charity raffle in memory of my brother Keith, who lost his long and courageous battle with cancer in August this year. Keith would have turned 50 in early November, and he was a much-loved son, brother, father, grandfather and uncle.
“Keith was very proud of our Aberdeen Angus heritage, and we wanted to do something in his honour, as well as raise much-needed funds for two very worthy charities.
“First prize is a yearling heifer from our successful Evana family, and the second and third prize winning ticket holders will win £100 and £50 respectively. Tickets are priced at £2 each, and we plan to promote ticket sales at forthcoming NI Aberdeen Angus Club events, and by exhibiting the heifer at a number of agricultural shows next year. The winning tickets will be drawn at Clogher Valley Show on Wednesday 26rd July 2023.”
The November 2021 born heifer Coltrim Evana X747 was sired by Tofts Evergarth R409, and is bred from Coltrim Evana V213. She made her showring debut at the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s recent calf show in Dungannon, and was placed third in a strong class of yearling heifers.
Visitors to the RUAS Winter Fair at Balmoral Park on Thursday 8th December will have an opportunity to purchase tickets from the NI Aberdeen Angus Club’s stand. Alternatively, contact Ivan Forsythe on mobile 07885 526196, or email: coltrimevana@gmail.com.
