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The Carr Family Foundation Trust van that is part of a very important mission to save the lives of rural New Zealand. Photo: Supplied.
When Craig Wiggins stepped into the health and wellbeing space, little did he know that a few short years later he would be travelling the length and breadth of the country and saving lives.
The 2021 Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the Year has teamed up with the Carr Family Foundation to make a difference to the rural sector. He’s heading to Wairoa for the 2023 East Coast Farming Expo in February for two full days of check-ups for anyone who wants one.
It is a collaborative effort between ‘Wiggy’ as he is affectionately known, The Carr Family Foundation and health professionals at the various towns they visit. He’s quick to point out the statistics are not pretty when it comes to rural health.
“We rock up at events and tell them that we know one in four farmers need to see a doctor, and by the end of the day, we want to know exactly who that is.”
Depending on the area, that number could be one in three. Wiggins has had people come up to him and say his prompting saved their life.
“It is easy for people to put off going to the doctor, and some have told us it has been years since they stepped foot in an office.”
In general, Wiggins finds the conversations usually revolve around something a farmer has been a bit worried about, but they aren’t comfortable dealing with it.
But it’s not just the farmers he convinces to swing by the van either; he includes the ladies in the kitchen at stock sales, stock agents and pretty much anyone who is there.
Wiggins is a farmer himself, so he knows the pressures of the industry. He believes it is currently challenged by a disunity between leadership and grass roots.
For 35-plus years Wiggins has been a commentator at all manner of rural outings, from rodeos to jet sprints, fencing competitions and more. He is a clerk of the course at a number of tracks down south, and a sometimes radio host. He reckons he’s connected from the top to the bottom of the industry.
But when Covid hit, Wiggins knew he had to find another way to connect and he set up weekly Zoom meetings, which attracted everyone from farmers to politicians. By his own admission, “it led to some pretty amazing stuff”.
“Rural communities need to look after ourselves,” he claims. “One of my biggest wants is to empower communities. Healthy and strong communities mean healthy and strong people – it works both ways.”
Wiggins’ healthfocused idea started small, with a gym programme in Ashburton to get local farmers fitter and healthier, and that is when the Carr family stepped in. Carrfields is a successful agri-business, with the Carr Family Foundation a 100% charitable trust.
“They wanted to give back to the communities they work in and developed the van for us to take around the country.”
Covid again interrupted plans, but finally, in January this year, things got cracking. In the past six months they have covered the whole of the South Island and have now moved north, with slots planned in the Waikato, Masterton, Northland, Gisborne, the Manawatu and, of course, Wairoa.
“I used to commentate the rodeos in Wairoa and was always so well looked after, so I am really looking forward to hopefully catching up with some of those old friends,” he says.
The checks include blood sugar and cholesterol levels, blood pressure and a general chat about wellness and mental health through a confidential personal assessment. People will receive a report card they can take to their own GP for further follow-up if required.
“My life is busy, but I am lucky I have a great wife and we make things work.”
As well as his work with the Carr Family Foundation and Whatever with Wiggy, he also drives Agri Connect and the Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate movement.
The Carr Family Foundation rural health and wellness initiative is just one exciting component of the East Coast Farming Expo which includes the latest in innovation, speakers, exhibits, products, services, and connection for beef and sheep farmers
What: East Coast Farming Expo
When: February 22-23, 2023
Where: Wairoa A&P Showgrounds
More Info: www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz
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