Raughton Head YFC, Cumbria
104
Gaitskell Village Hall
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We have recently taken on our Many Mountains for MND challenge, which was to climb all 214 Wainwrights as a club in one day. This was to raise money for the MND Association.
We took part in the Dalston Show where some of our juniors helped to run the stand throughout the day encouraging people to have a go at stockjudging.
Last week we also won the Best YFC Club at The Cumbria Farmer Awards, and we have also been shortlisted as finalists for the Young British Farming Awards too!
Raughton Head try to compete in all competitions, both speaking and in the field. This year we had teams in the national finals of Junior Public Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Cheerleading and Rounders, where we were the champions.
We try to help wherever we are needed in our community, often in our local village of Dalston where we have helped with displays in the church, and have previously built a bale scarecrow for the village festival.
Local dairy farmer Richard Messenger, a parent of four of our members and a former member of the club, was diagnosed with MND. Ever since his diagnosis, raising money and awareness for MND Association has been the club’s focus.
So far, the amount raised this year is over £23,700 and keeps rising thanks to the Wainwrights challenge. We were so happy to complete it.
Our challenge attracted the attention of Charlie from Clarkson’s Farm, who is an ambassador for the MND Association. He kindly recorded a message for Raughton Head to wish us good luck in our mission.
We have also attracted a lot of media attention for the challenge, which has helped to raise awareness of MND and also about the great work of YFC.
We have also been honoured this month to win the Best YFC Club at the Cumbria Farmers Awards and to be shortlisted for the Young British Farming Awards too.
This summer, we also hosted our District Field Day at The Messenger family's farm, and we managed to win on home turf!
Submitted by Club Leader Lisa Bowe
Raughton Head's Wainwrights challenge that raised over £23,000 for the MND Association is such an inspiring effort with a huge impact for a cause very close to the club.
Their commitment to supporting a former member and their family shows true YFC spirit. It's great to see that this 104-strong club involve their juniors in activities, such as the Dalston Show and we loved the fact they are being recognised externally in two awards ceremonies. Well done to everyone involved in this club.
