A SOUTH Lakeland Young Farmers' Club is raising funds to support a young member battling with a life-threatening disease.

Crook Young Farmers' Club is holding a Summer Sports Spectacular this Saturday (August 13) to raise money for Blood Cancer UK after Lewis, a 16-year-old member, was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a rare form of the disease.

The event will run from 2pm until 10pm at High House Farm in Winster.

Amy Wood, chairman of Crook YFC, said: "Lewis is 16 years old and was halfway through his GCSE exams when he was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma on June 12. 

"He started having symptoms near the end of May, including loss of appetite, a cough, jaw pain, and tiredness over the space of two weeks until his diagnosis. 

"He is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Christie hospital in Manchester, where his treatment is over a short period of time but very intense. 

"The doctors say he is responding well to treatment. 

"Lewis mentioned to us all that he was worried about losing his hair, so as a way to help him feel supported and try to eliminate his worries a group of eight of our Crook Young Farmers Members braved the shave and raised money for Blood Cancer UK in doing so. 

"From this alone, we have raised £1,800 with our event to add to that total as well.

The Westmorland Gazette: The programme of eventsThe programme of events

"As Lewis was in the hospital for 3 weeks I decided to run a Facebook post a day to give him something to look forward to. 

"These posts included family members, school, his favourite football team (Blackburn Rovers), YFC friends, local businesses, etc.

"The day will include, among many other things, a bouncy castle, a disc jockey, a bar, a a barbecue, auctioning off our members, and face-painting.

"There will be plenty of merchandise to buy, a Ducking Stool (a traditional but thankfully now-defunct form of punishment for women) and much much more. 

"We have even made our own pool for competition use and maybe a cool down later."

The Westmorland Gazette: Crook YFC after last fundraiser. Credit Jenny Wood PhotographyCrook YFC after last fundraiser. Credit Jenny Wood Photography

Crook YFC won the National Club of the Month in July for raising £2,148 for North West Air Ambulance as 12 members completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.  

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