BBC Countryfile host John Craven visits Herefordshire farm

John Craven OBE, 82, has been a staple on TV in the UK for over 50 years and is best known for presenting Newsround and Countryfile.

He visited Kings Pitts Farm in Kingsthorne near Hereford to present married couple Sam and Emily Stables with their award after it was announced they had won the Community category in the 2022 National Lottery Awards.

The couple set up the We are Farming Minds charity in September 2020, following Sam’s own personal experiences of poor mental health and a suicide attempt.

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The National Lottery funded charity helps raise mental health awareness in rural Herefordshire and supports the wellbeing of farmers across the country.

On receiving the award, Sam Stables, said: "It’s fantastic to get recognition and to know that there's a real need for the services we offer. The feedback we get has been amazing and to know we’re making this kind of impact is pretty special."

"It can be a very lonely job. I reached a crisis point and I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and, after a thankfully failed attempt to end my life, I saw the light.

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With the support from my wife, we decided to create a charity that offered farmers like me a judgement free space. It’s what farmers do – we all stick together no matter what."

Presenting Sam and Emily with their award at the ceremony on Thursday, Ocotber 20, John Craven, said:

"I’m truly honoured to present Sam and Emily with their award which recognises their outstanding efforts in establishing a much-needed resource to support people suffering with mental health issues and isolation in the farming community.

"These are issues we have covered extensively on BBC Countryfile over the years and I know that charities like We are Farming Minds play a vital role in breaking down barriers and the stigma often associated with mental health in farming and rural communities.

"It's truly inspirational to see how Sam and Emily have turned what was one of the darkest chapters of their lives into something so positive.

"They, and the community in Herefordshire, should be really proud of their efforts."