Farmer's fleecy fundraiser for Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
He's set for a fine life as a flock sire on a sheep farm. But this young ram is also going to do his bit for charity when he comes up for auction on September 6.
The 18-month-old Texel will be one of over 100 rams for sale by the McGowan family of Incheoch Farms, Alyth, at their 11th annual ram sale. And the farming family has pledged all proceeds from the first ram sold that evening will go to Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
The quality ram visited the country's only charity-funded air ambulance this week to meet the high-flying heroes his sale will help fund.
Farmer Neil McGowan explained why the fleecy fundraiser was chosen to support SCAA.
"We had a visit to the farm last spring by the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) leading a group of children from Coupar Angus Primary School," he said. "While they were there, one of the ewes went into labour and the youngsters were able to witness the birth of two lambs.
"The ewe needed a little help and one of the little boys got stuck in and helped pull the lamb out - and then a second. They've been known as the RHET lambs ever since and it's the first of those that is earmarked to step out at auction for SCAA."
Eighteen months on and that little lamb is now a strapping 90kg ram preparing for sale to another sheep farm as a working sire.
"SCAA is a charity close to most farmers', rural workers' and landowners' hearts - it's a proven life-saver when injury or illness occurs out in the countryside," said Neil. "We have seen the team in action at incidents in Perthshire and the Angus glens and know what a valuable resource it is for rural communities throughout Scotland.
"We just wanted to raise some funds for the charity and rams are what we do best."
Incheoch Farms specialise in producing breeding stock for other farmers and bids come in from across the whole of the UK at their annual sale.
Neil said that Lot 1 was among the best rams in the upcoming sale where his pedigree stock can achieve prices in excess of one thousand guineas.
"We're hopeful he'll put his best foot forward on the night and have bidders fighting over him," said Neil, "with the result being a healthy donation to a very worthy cause."
The ram sale on Thursday, September 6, will begin at 6pm preceded by a barbecue from 4pm. Between 100 and 150 people are expected to attend.
Farmer Neil McGowan with Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) crew senior pilot Captain Russell Myles, Paramedics Craig MacDonald and Darren O'Brien and the ram bound for auction.