Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs have been awarded £5,080 from national charity, Heart Research UK ’s Healthy Heart Scheme. The money will fund an innovative project entitled ‘Hearts of the Countryside’ which will promote heart health issues to the rural youth of Yorkshire.

Over 50 community groups and voluntary organisations from across the UK applied for the grants in August, and YFYFC was one of seven successful organisations. Denise Armstrong, lifestyle manager at Heart Research UK, said,

Heart Research UK was very impressed with proposal of the Young Farmers and their enthusiasm. They have come up with great ideas to promote the important issue of heart health among their clubs members.

The project will commence in early 2008, with the healthy heart message being spread to Yorkshire Young Farmers Club’s 1,800 members. Through a series of workshops and competitions, members will be encouraged to participate in a range of sports and activities, and learn about the healthy heart diet. The YFC’s of Yorkshire will also be promoting the healthy heart message to young people at open farm events across the region, in conjunction with the Year of Food and Farming project.

The culmination of the project will be at the organisation’s two flagship events, The Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby Races on 27 April and The Yorkshire FYFC County Show at Nidderdale Showground on 1st June, where the healthy heart message will be the key theme.

The YFYFC Vice Chairman Peter Garbutt was delighted to hear that the grant had been secured,

This funding allows us to reach so many more of our members with the healthy heart message, but the money itself is only half the story, the fact that a huge national charity, such as Heart Research UK, has recognized the positive role that Young Farmers can play is a real step forward for our organisation.