Chairwoman's charity for 2010
During my year as chairwoman of the NFYFC, I am challenging every Young Farmers' Club in England and Wales to raise £150 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
RABI is 150 years old this year, and to mark this anniversary, with your help, I want to give something back to this charity which has supported so many farming families.
Founded in 1860, RABI has an unbroken history of providing long-term care and emergency help for retired farmers, farm workers and working farmers and their families who find themselves in financial difficulties.
A host of events are planned throughout 2010 to help RABI commemorate past achievements, celebrate the anniversary and raise awareness of the valuable support it offers the farming community.
You can donate the funds you raise from your events direct to RABI on the page dedicated to my challenge, where you will be able to see how the fund is growing, too.
To learn more about RABI and its anniversary celebrations click on the RABI logo on this page.
RABI AGM recognises NFYFC's fundraising support
Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, was the prestigious venue for RABI’s 150th AGM, chaired by the charity’s president Lord Plumb.
NFYFC operations manager James Eckley and I were delighted to be able to attend the meeting, particularly as representatives from RABI’s fundraising committees throughout England and Wales were there. It was great to see how much money they raise for this vital charity all year round, and also how much many of these committees rely on the help of YFC members.
That important link is celebrated with the presentation of the RABI YFC award which RABI presents each year to the YFC that raises the most money to support its work in the farming community.
This year the trophy was presented to club reporter Claire Willcox and chairman James Hector of Somerset’s Wedmore YFC, which raised a wonderful £2,000 by organising a welly disco, the largest amount raised at a Welly Week event. So a big well done to everyone involved in raising that money during the past 12 months. The meeting also saw chairman of NFYFC’s trustees Julian Sayers elected as RABI’s chairman.
As you all know, I have challenged every YFC in the federation to raise £150 for RABI during my year as NFYFC chairwoman.
I am delighted to tell you all that, in true YFC fashion, members have already raised more than £25,000 for RABI during this year’s annual convention so a big thank you to everyone involved, as we are well on our way to meeting my challenge.
NFYFC officers will be doing their bit during a cycling challenge being held during the national competitions weekend at Stoneleigh in October.
In the meantime, keep up all the good work and I will keep you posted on how the challenge is progressing.
Thousands raised on journey to convention in Torquay
Intrepid YFC members boosted the coffers of the charity with a host of innovative fundraising ideas as they made their way to the NFYFC annual convention and AGM in Torquay in April. Click here for a round-up of some of the fundraising news. And see Lionel Hill in action relieving convention delegates of their cash here.
NFYFC president Lionel Hill wades in for RABI
Lionel Hill is striding through the challenge to raise cash for RABI. He organised a raffle which raised £60 at the Welsh drama semi-finals in March and is planning to wear his wellies throughout our annual convention in Torquay in April to raise even more money.
As well as planning your own fun fundraising events to raise £150 per club for RABI, there are plenty of other chances to join events up and down the country, including the anniversary race day at Ludlow in April; London 10k road run in July; an anniversary challenge in Dorset in September and, of course, Welly Week in October.
NFYFC officers join RABI thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey
NFYFC members and office holders joined the charity and acted as ushers at a thanksgiving service held at Westminster Abbey on 24 February (pictured above). I carried the NFYFC standard in the procession and vice chairman James Chapman, who received support from RABI after losing his arm in a farming accident, read the lesson.