BATA & FCN - Announcing Our 2026 Charity Partner
BATA announces The Farming Community Network (FCN) as charity partner for 2026
Agricultural co-operative BATA, based in North Yorkshire, has announced that The Farming Community Network (FCN) will be its official charity partner for 2026.
The partnership will see BATA colleagues receive specialist wellbeing awareness training from FCN, alongside opportunities to support the charity through volunteering and fundraising initiatives across the region. The business will also raise funds throughout the year at events and county shows, to support FCN’s vital work helping farmers, farming families and rural communities facing hardship or change.
Colin Bailey, Chief Executive Officer at BATA, said the partnership reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to the people behind the agricultural industry.
“BATA has been part of the farming community for generations, and we see first-hand both the resilience and the challenges faced by those living and working in rural areas,” he said.
“FCN provides an essential lifeline for farmers and their families during difficult times. The charity’s work is incredibly important to the wellbeing of the rural community we serve, which is why supporting FCN as our charity partner is something that strongly resonates across our business.”
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Throughout the year, BATA teams will take part in fundraising events and community initiatives designed to support FCN’s outreach and raise awareness of the charity’s services.
Colin added that the partnership also provides an opportunity for BATA colleagues to better understand the pressures faced by the agricultural community and how they can help.
“As a business that works closely with farmers every day, it’s important that our teams are aware of the challenges people may be facing behind the scenes,” he said.
“Working with FCN will help equip our colleagues with greater awareness and understanding, while also allowing us to give something meaningful back to the communities that support our business.”
FCN supports thousands of people across the farming community each year through its confidential helpline and network of volunteers, supporting and ‘walking with’ people during periods of stress, illness or change.
Georgina Lamb, Head of Partnerships at the Farming Community Network, said “we are delighted to be working in partnership with BATA and recognise the importance of raising awareness about the support FCN can provide to the farming and rural community through this vital connection. We look forward to reaching out to supporters old and new and look forward to collaborating with the team at BATA”.
- 24th April 2026
