Charity Focus
Live Ribble Valley takes a look at ongoing fundraising projects that see thousands of pounds donated to good causes
YOUNG FARMERS
Clitheroe Young Farmers Club (CYF) recently donated £5,500 to the UK Sepsis Trust. With members aged 10 to 26, CYF chose the charity as it is very close to the club’s heart. The members are hoping to raise awareness of sepsis within the farming community. Over the last year funds were predominantly raised from the club’s Tractor Run and Muck Haul. The annual Christmas Tractor Run, which is always a big success, sees 150 tractors covered in fairy lights, lighting up the Ribble Valley while the Muck Haul saw 100 wheelbarrows, 330 bags and three trailers of muck delivered in and around Clitheroe for people to use in their gardens. The club now hopes that they can raise even more for Yellow Wellies, a charity focusing on farm safety and mental health in the farming community.
WILDLIFE CHALLENGE
Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) recently asked locals to join its biggest-ever fundraising campaign to help protect one of the region’s most beloved native species, the red squirrel, which faces ongoing threats from habitat loss, competition from the invasive grey squirrel and squirrel pox – a deadly virus carried by grey squirrels. To help to tackle these threats, LWT took part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, an exciting opportunity to double every donation made during the campaign. Every penny raised will go directly towards LWT’s red squirrel conservation project, a cornerstone of their most ambitious fundraising initiative yet – the ‘Step Up for Wildlife’ appeal. “This isn’t just about saving red squirrels – it’s about creating a legacy of hope and action for all wildlife,” said Molly Frost, Red Squirrel Conservation Officer.
BONFIRE RAISES COMMUNITY CASH
Clitheroe Castle Bonfire once again made record profits to plough back into local charities from this year’s annual display. Over 15 organisations will benefit from their share of £16,000 made at the town’s popular event. The Castle Bonfire is run by a team of volunteers and supported by the town’s service clubs and is one of Clitheroe’s major fund-raising activities of the year. The aim is to provide all-round value entertainment for the town while raising funds to directly benefit the community itself. Every penny is for the town and stays within Clitheroe.
CLIMATE ACTION
The Marsden Building Society Charitable Foundation has donated £2,800 to Nature Warriors’ Custodians of the Earth initiative to empower young people to reduce their carbon footprint. Nature Warriors, based in Brierfield, encourages local people to get active and enjoy the great outdoors. With this funding, the organisation will deliver 30 environmental education sessions for young people. The sessions will run until spring 2025, focusing on practical ways for young people to reduce their carbon footprint, including recycling, growing food and litter pick-ups, whilst advocating local holidays to reduce air miles.
If you have any charity news please contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk
