Young farmers' festive fundraisers top £10,000
Fundraising events across Shropshire over the festive period by members of the county's Young Farmers Clubs have raised over £10,000 for their chosen charities.
A long-running YFC tradition includes carol singing, in which members spend two or more nights going door-to-door of families, friends and local pubs singing renditions of classic carols and more contemporary Christmas songs in return for donations for charity.
For their effort, Dorrington Young Farmers sported Christmas jumpers and over two nights over 30 of the club's members raised £329 for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
The county YFC federation held its annual church carol service at St Mary’s Church, Stottesdon, attended by over 200 guests, where members performed scenes of the Christmas Story and sang carols, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
Fred Allen, county chairman, said: “It is a great time of year for members to get out fundraising and carol singing is a fantastic social, especially for new members still settling into young farmers.
"Christmas can be a difficult time of year for those who need the support of the charities we donated to, so it means a lot to give what we can to them. Raising over £10,000 is an incredible effort from all involved.”
Other Christmas fundraisers included Whittington & Oswestry YFC braving the cold helping Oswestry Cambrian Rotary Club with the Morda Santa Sleigh Run, walking over seven miles to raise money for local charities and spread the festive spirits, while Cleobury Mortimer YFC raised £450 by selling logs to the locals and also handmade wreaths.
The clubs' chosen charities for 2018/2019 include, among others, Midlands Air Ambulance, Shropshire Mind, Lingen Davies and the Severn Hospice.
