CORNWALL Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC) have taken part in the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ ‘Give It Some Welly’ relay challenge.
The YFC community is facing a funding crisis due to COVID-19. For the first time in 89 years it has launched a national fundraising campaign to help secure the future of YFCs.
A spokesperson for Cornwall YFC said: “Clubs have been out last week and the weekend just gone to complete their sections of the challenge for members of Cornwall YFC to collectively cover the distance between all of our 20 clubs.
“Members have walked, cycled and ridden horses to complete the challenge.
“We are fundraising to support the Cornwall federation and its clubs in a year when fundraising has not been possible.
“Members have really got involved and over 70 members have taken part in the challenge so far. We have been fundraising for a week now and have been blown away by the support we have received.”
In the local area, St Mabyn YFC travelled the Warleggan stretch of the route and split the miles between members.
A spokesperson said: “Some of our members took part in NFYFC’s ‘Welly Relay Challenge’ for #NationalYoungFarmersWeek.
“Each county has been set the challenge to walk between all 20 of our clubs in order to raise money for our charities, as during these tough times we aren’t able to do any fundraising. The money raised by Cornwall will be split 50/50 between Cornwall YFC and the clubs that take part.
“Our section of the walk was from St Mabyn to Warleggan, we split the walk up so each member did a few miles. Luckily we missed the rain and had an enjoyable day!”
Liskeard members walked from the town to Landrake, a distance of 10 miles, while Warleggan members walked 8.4 miles to Lostwithiel.
Launceston’s YFC pedalled their way to Camelford 16 miles away in a decent time. Member Nick Uglow said: “Six members set off from Launceston cycling, with the aim of completing our section of the welly boot relay 16 miles to Camelford. We cycled through Pennygillam, Tregadillett, and across Davidstow, battling heavy rain and high winds, completing it in just under two hours. It was a great day.”
Picking up the relay, for the longest stretch, Camelford YFC got on their bikes and cycled just over 20 miles to the neighbouring club at Stratton. A spokesperson said: “The Give It Some Welly relay was great fun to do and a good challenge. A few of the members from our club had to cycle from Camelford to our neighbouring club of Stratton, which was just over 20 miles!
“It was a good experience and a nice way to be raising vital funds for our county federation and own club so we can keep supporting rural young people.”
To date, Cornwall YFC has raised £1,075. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cornwallyfc