OKEHAMPTON and District Young Farmers’ Club is celebrating after winning a prestigious national trophy for its fundraising efforts over the year, beating 625 other YFC clubs across the country.

The Okehampton YFC members were presented with the Lionel Hill MBE Club Charity trophy from the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, for raising the most money per member for charity at the annual convention in Blackpool. Around 6,000 people were in attendance.

Okehampton YFC, with a membership of 29, gave £7,200 to charity, amounting to £248.28 per member over the past year, benefitting Devon Freewheelers, Devon Air Ambulance, North Dartmoor Search and Rescue and the New Devon YFC headquarters at Cheriton Bishop.

The money was raised by many events, including the annual dung run and the popular After Lambing Party among others.

Abi Knox, club treasurer, said: ‘This is a great achievement for Okehampton YFC and everyone is really delighted. Several members travelled to the annual convention in Blackpool for the presentation.’

The National Federation of YFC’s is made up of 626 individual clubs in England and Wales.

Pictured are Okehampton and District YFC chairman John Maile receiving Lionel Hill MBE?Club Charity trophy from Poul Christensen CBE at the AGM in Blackpool.