FARMERS are setting off on a mercy mission to transport vital food and bedding to animals stranded on farms in flood disaster areas.

Rallying to the cause are Moss Bank father and son, 54-year-old Chris and Jack Forster, who are only too happy to offer a helping hand by collecting and delivering supplies to Sedgemoor, Somerset, in an area of the country devastated by flooding.

“We will collect the first load from Penrith, where it has been gathered by the area’s Young Farmers group,” said Jack, a 26-year-old former rugby union player with Sale Sharks.

“In two or three months time, donations are going to be all the more important because the biggest problem is that with being underwater for so long, all the crops are spoiled.”

The Forsters, who farm at Shoots Delph, Moss Bank, and also rear beef cattle at Haigh, Wigan, have previously been involved with Forage Aid and last year transported vital supplies to snow-hit farms.

Farming is ingrained in the Forster blood, with Jack hoping his 10-month-old son Joseph will become the sixth generation to earn a living on the land.

Jan, Jack’s grandmother, and his mum and dad Anne and Chris rear traditional breeds, such as Aberdeen Angus, Red Ruby Devons and Shorthorns, on a grass-based system, producing much prized organic meat.

“We’re helping out for a good cause. It is for an animal welfare issue and we know others will want to help those in need. We are fortunate not to be in that situation.”

Chris and Jack aim to make mercy missions to Somerset and any farmer who wants to contribute and has foodstuff or bedding material they wish to donate can contact forsterorganicmeats.com, or call 07944 664526.