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Published:
November 29, 2006
Polden
Hills Young Farmers
raise £3,500 for Burnham-On-Sea hovercraft
 A
sale of cow dung organised by a group of fun-loving Somerset young
farmers was among the more unusual fundraising ideas that helped
raise a whopping £3,500 for Burnham-On-Sea's rescue hovercraft.
Over
the course of several months, the enterprising members at Polden
Hills Young Farmers Club have held a variety of events to raise
money for BARB, their charity of the year.
None
was more unusual, though, than a sale of dung which raised smiles,
cash and smells!
"Gardeners
in our area who found their plants drooping were invited to contact
us for dung and we then provided it direct to their front door
or garden gate for a suitable donation," said Adrian Cox,
chairman of the group.
 The
30-strong group also held barn dances, a bonfire night party,
treasure hunt, sponsored bike ride, bingo sessions and balls and
discos.
A
huge total of £5,500 was raised, with £3,500 going
to BARB and £2,000 for the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.
Mark
Newman, spokesman for BARB, said: “The sale of dung is definitely
the most unusual way in which funds have been raised for us to
date! It’s great to see how much effort has been put in by
the group - and how much fun they have had at the same time."
“We
are incredibly grateful for this huge sum - every penny of which
will go towards maintaining our two life-saving hovercraft and
training our volunteer crew.”
Members
of the Young Farmers group also visited Burnham recently for a
tour of the hovercraft station where they met crew members and
heard more about the work of BARB - as pictured here.
 BARB's
Spirit Of Lelaina has directly helped and rescued more than 95
people since going into service two and a half years ago.
More
recently, BARB unveiled its second smaller craft, The Light Of
Elizabeth, which is being used for training and river rescues.
Polden
Hills Young Farmers meet weekly on a Tuesday evening at Edington
Village Hall, while every second Tuesday is a visit. The group
welcomes all young people aged from 10 to 26 - members don't have
to be farmers to be Young Farmers.
RELATED
LINKS:
Burnham-On-Sea
Hovercraft Web site
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