Shropshire FYFC’s weekend of giving

The challenge: A weekend involving all 18 YFCs in the county to do something in their local community 

The result: 

When Rebecca Green from Brown Clee YFC took on the role of Shropshire’s County Chairman, she wanted to showcase the skills of YFC members while also having an impact on the local communities where the clubs are based.

And what better way to do it then to get all 18 YFCs supporting their local communities during the same weekend!

Rebecca launched a Chairman’s Charity Challenge Weekend after applying to the Countryside Challenge for funding. The weekend in April this year involved young farmers raising money for local charities and renovating local areas.

Some of the activities included:  

Food glorious food

Shawbury YFC held a coffee morning in aid of Severn Hospice at their village hall and raised £325. Bridgnorth YFC also held a coffee morning and raised £198.60 for Cancer Research UK. Brown Clee YFC hosted Afternoon Tea, Alberbury YFC had a  Big Breakfast and Rushbury and Cardington YFC had a soup lunch.

Renovating

Dorrington Young Farmers ploughed up the playground rather than the field, spending Saturday resurfacing Dorrington play park and also received its own £400 from the Counryside Challenge fund to help pay for materials. Much Wenlock YFC improved The gardens of Wheatlands Care Home in Much Wenlock by painting sheds and preparing vegetable plots. Craven Arms YFC planted a wilderness garden for the local pre-school, while Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow joined forces and painted the woodwork outside Bitterly Primary School.

Tidying up

Nesscliffe YFC did a litter pick up Nesscliffe Hill, Clun YFC weeded and painted Clun Memorial Hall, Whittington and Oswestry YFC rebuilt a fence at Oswestry Rugby Club, and Chirbury and Marton YFC mowed Chirbury churchyard and tidied outside Marton Village Hall.

Tractor run 

Fourteen tractors toured Whitchurch for Whitchurch YFC’s charity tractor run and barbecue, raising over £150 for West Midlands Air Ambulance.

“Each club was challenged to do something local and worthwhile for charity, and they should all be proud of their achievements over the weekend,” said Rebecca.  “Charity is at the heart of Shropshire FYFC, which is itself a charity run by the members for the members.”

Shropshire FYFC were also awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year - the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK and recognises outstanding work in the community.