Sally Conner, Regional Manager for the North East, was presented with the Driffield Agricultural Society’s RH Mountifield award for outstanding contribution to agriculture.

Society chair Mark Flint, president Michael Parker and former chair Tim Burdass presented Sally the award at a member’s evening held on the Driffield Showground. Around 350 people attended, including Sally’s family.

“I’m humbled and incredibly proud,” Sally said, “I’ve never received anything like this.

“I’ve been connected to farming my whole life, my father, brother and husband are all farmers. I used to be a member of a young farmers club and have been part of the local farming community for years.”

Sally and her husband, Mark, rear pigs on their farm in East Yorkshire. The farm is at the heart of the Conner family. While Mark works on the land full-time and Sally works part-time, their son often returns to help during busy seasons and their grandchildren are always keen to visit.

In 2007, Sally joined R.A.B.I and has been serving as Regional Manager for 13 years, looking after Northumberland, County Durham and North and East Yorkshire. Her role is to raise both funds and awareness about the charity. Last year, Sally organised a lunch event alongside supporters in County Durham and raised £34k – breaking R.A.B.I’s fundraising records.

Stephen Noble, Head of Fundraising, said: “Sally’s greatest strength – and what motivates her most – is championing our cause and inspiring others to back it. She is a fantastic ambassador for R.A.B.I and always has been.”

Sally added: “The charity has changed massively over the past 13 years. It’s been brought into the 21^st century and is better placed to help the farming community. Now, we’re looking at how we can move forward and adapt to the changes in agriculture.”

Pictured above are (L-R) Mark Flint, Michael Parker, Sally Conner and Tim Burdass.