Triumph Over Adversity Award from Rural Business Awards –
We Dedicate This To Jack
We are truly honoured and humbled to be the recipients of the award for Triumph over Adversity in the recent regional Rural Business Awards ceremony for Wales and NI.
I, Sylvie attended on behalf of us both because sadly Andy wasn’t well enough to travel.
As you can imagine from reading the text below, this win brought up many emotions but thankfully Jemma – one of the founders of the RBA’s – was on hand for a big hug. (see the unofficial photo below.)
We treasure this award and dedicate it to Jack who is still very much an inspiration for us; as well as to our rural community, staff and family who have been amazing in supporting us wholeheartedly.
Here’s a little piece Jemma read out when our win was announced…
“Since 1988, Andy and Sylvie have made it their mission to provide families with memories that will last a lifetime, through offering luxury cottage getaways.
They have transformed Croft Farm from derelict out-buildings on a run-down farm into an award-winning eco-friendly holiday cottage business and smallholding.
After purchasing the dilapidated farm in 1988, Andy and Sylvie developed the business over the years requiring financial support from the bank as well as family members. Although there were financial trials in the early years the greatest adversity of all was yet to come.
In 2011, their youngest son, then 8, was diagnosed with an aggressive childhood cancer behind his eye.
With the incredible support from the staff, the local community and family Andy and Sylvie were able to trust others with most of the day to day running of the business, and give their son the time and care he needed. Andy and Sylvie’s son had a few months of remission but devastatingly he passed away on 10 October 2013.
They continued to run Croft Farm & Celtic Cottages whilst supporting their grieving family and themselves. Today they run the business appreciating that no one knows what maybe ‘around the corner’; adults and children need to be able to enjoy great holidays away from the strains of usual pressures.”
Thank you once again to The Rural Business Awards and Amazon #rbas