THE current chair of the Northern District of Cumbria Young Farmers Club, Robbie Tuer, along with 11 other members from each of the 15 Northern District Clubs took on a mammoth sponsored challenge.

Here the Cumbria Federation of Young Farmers Clubs explains how biking around all the clubs in the District over a two-day period, in total over 140 miles and gaining 8,716 feet of elevation - similar to a Tour De France stage, unfolded.

The team started early on Saturday August 29 at Drigg and worked their way up the coast to finish at Brampton on day one. On that day they visited 11 of the clubs and totalled around 92 miles – a long day and partly into a head wind.

Day Two started at Brampton, the riders and few hangers on, worked their way down to Penrith before finishing the ride at the home club of Robbie Tuer, Raughton Head YFC after a detour up to Caldbeck. In all a further 46 miles on the second Day.

Robbie set out to raise money for two charities, “Carlisle & Eden Mind” and “West Cumbria Hospice at Home”, as these charities work hard to continue to ‘provide advice and support, to empower anyone experiencing a mental health issue’ and also ‘to be at the heart of our community and provide home nursing, emotional support, complementary therapies, and lymphoedema care when and where needed.’ Robbie decided to organise the event as it helped fulfil several of the ambitions he set himself for his year in office as Chairman; raise money for two charities close to his heart, increase awareness of mental health in the rural youth and visit every YFC club in North Cumbria. ‘I am looking to raise some well needed funds for these two amazing charities and the donations will allow Carlisle & Eden Mind and West Cumbria Hospice at Home to carry on their great work’.

Cycling round the clubs of the Northern District, involving every club in the event and encouraging positive mental health ties in well with the National Young Farmers ‘Ruralplus’ campaign to raise awareness, identify support, and address the issues that rural isolation causes.

The team and their supporters picked up much needed sponsorship along the way with Aspatria Farmers the main sponsors, donating £500 to the cause. They also provided support vehicles for the weekend and cycling jackets for the cyclists taking part in the whole ride.

Robbie set out to gain as much sponsorship from local businesses as he could and tasked every cyclist with raising their own sponsorship. At the time of writing it stood at £7,000.