The number
of deaths that occur on farms every year are to be slashed with the help of
Young Farmers’ Clubs.
The clubs
are supporting a Health and Safety Executive campaign that plans to make one of
the most dangerous occupations safer. The industry, which employs only 1.5% of
the working population, still manages to rack up one in five work-related
deaths.
NFYC vice
chairman James Chapman is calling on all the young farmers to keep safe.
“I know
only too well what can happen when safety isn’t put first,” he said. “I lost my
left arm when it was caught in an unguarded PTO shaft. It happened because I,
like many farmers, was working under pressure.”
Mr Chapman
added that he regularly speaks to young farmers using his experience positively
as a warning of how important it is to take the time to consider their safety.
Farm-Africa contest extended
The Farm-Africa
charity has extended the closing date for its YFC eBay challenge until
February 14, 2010.
Teams are already pitting their skills against each
other to raise the most cash by selling items on the auction website for the
Farm-Africa charity. In the process they could win an incredible trip to Africa.
There is still time to enter this contest, and win
the fabulous safari prize, but the sooner you enter the more time you have to
raise cash and the better your chances are to win the trip of a lifetime.
The prize is a once-in-a-lifetime Kenyan safari
holiday for four people, but more importantly those taking part will be helping
African farmers at the same time through the charity Farm-Africa.
The competition is
open to a maximum of 200 teams, so register
quickly to ensure you can take part.
Quad challenge
Worcestershire’s
young farmers are planning a quad bike trip of more than 1,000 miles for charity.
A team from the
county will be riding from John O’Groats to Land’s End,
then back to Torquay in time for the Young Farmers’ National Convention. The
trip is in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice, in Worcester,
and Diabetes UK.
Two quad bikes have
been donated for the marathon, so all money raised through sponsorship can go
directly to the charities.
The young farmers,
all aged 26 or less, will be leaving John O’Groats on April 17 and aim to have
completed their marathon by April 23.
Worcestershire Federation
of Young Farmers’ Clubs county chairman, Tom Goodwin, said it will be a
difficult challenge.
“It’s hardly
travelling in style and we will be at the mercy of the elements, but it’s
nothing compared to the challenges faced by the two charities we are supporting
and those who benefit from their work,” he said.
“Young farmers always
rise to a challenge and we’re hoping businesses and individuals in
Worcestershire will support our efforts with donations.”
Anyone wishing to
pledge a donation should call 01905 621616.
