JUST a month after they completed a mammoth three peaks challenge a dale young farmers’ group were named as Club of the Month by the national federation.
In July, eight members of Barnard Castle Young Farmers’ Club tested themselves to the limit climbing the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours.
The intrepid walkers not only managed to complete the challenge in an impressive 23 hours and 40 minutes, scaling Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike and Snowdonia, but raised double the amount of money they had hoped to raise.
Zoe Hutchinson, one of the young farmers who took part in the challenge, said: “It was exhausting to complete but the feeling after was amazing. All our training paid off and we raised £6,220 for If U Care Share Foundation.”
The charity, which is based in Chester-le-Street, supports the emotional wellbeing of young people and those affected by suicide, reminding people that it is “okay not to be okay”.
She added: “It was quite surprising that the drives between the peaks could have scuppered our times if we had hit traffic.
“But we drove 1,000 miles and we have to say a massive thank you to Utass for loaning us the minibus and to Stuart Robson, who not only drove us but kept our spirits high. He created a Now That’s What I call BCYFC three peaks motivational compilation.”
Among the tunes Mr Robson put together to inspire the walkers during their dashes between peaks were The Climb and The Proclaimers’ I Would Walk 500 Miles.
Miss Hutchinson said she let the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Club know of their successful challenge and was delighted to find they had named the Barnard Castle group Club of the Month in August.
She added: “We certainly weren’t expecting that, but it’s great. We couldn’t have done any of it without the support and help from so many people and we want to say thank you to all, including S & A who provided us with our climbing T-shirts.”
Barnard Castle Young Farmers meet at the Moorcock Inn, Eggleston, every Monday from 7.30pm. Anyone who is interested in joining are welcome to attend. The next meeting on Monday, September 23, will be a pre-AGM meeting with their annual meeting on October 7.
