NATIONAL Healthcare Charity Sue Ryder Care has challenged Young Farmers across Yorkshire to show their entrepreneurial flair by launching a new competition which celebrates the huge amount of good work the organisation does for good causes.

In a competition called ‘Rural Apprentice’ the charity, which provides palliative and neurological care, has offered each club a £50 investment fund and challenged them to use their imagination, hard work and entrepreneurial skills to devise and run schemes which will create a big return for the charity.

The project will work as a contest and form part of the competitions programme at the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs annual County Show on 7th June at Nidderdale show Ground where members from clubs will make a presentation and answer questions on their efforts before of a panel of judges including a professional fundraiser and a local entrepreneur.

Chairman of Yorkshire YFC’s Activities Committee, Sarah Leach is delighted that the two organizations are working together in a project which will highlight the worth of YFC in the communities of Yorkshire.

“I know from experience just how much the Young Farmers movement does for charities and other good causes each year through fundraising and volunteering projects. Yet with 49 clubs working independently in North, West and South Yorkshire the approximate £40,000 value of their achievements as a whole is seldom recognized. This competition has been devised to showcase just what the 1700 members of the Yorkshire Federation can produce in a three month period.”

Sue Ryder Care Fundraiser and former Yorkshire Young Farmers County Chairman Andrew Wood explained how he was excited to see what projects the Young Farmers of Yorkshire carry out.

“In addition to the fun of the competition and the funds raised which are crucial to our care for seriously ill people our four care centres across Yorkshire, there is a real vocational value for members undertaking such projects. Through this type of activity Young Farmers gain business experience and develop a range of valuable skills. This experience together with the public speaking skills that they develop in Young Farmers sets them apart from the opposition when applying for a job or university place.”

One of the first Clubs to enter is Winksley cum Grantley YFC from the Harrogate area and club Chairman Ryan Atkinson explained that the club are excited about been involved care in the ‘Rural Apprentice’ competition and supporting Sue Ryder Care. ’Our members at Winksley are typical Yorkshire YFC members who are renowned for been careful with money but even better at making it. When we first heard about this competition it made perfect sense to enter, we get to work as a group and raise money for a very important charity at the same time.’ Ends.

For further information, contact YFYFC County office on 01423 865870 or email office@yfyfc.org.uk or Sue Ryder Care Fundraiser Andrew Wood on 01535 640432 or email Andrew.Wood@suerydercare.org.