TEN young farmers are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity next week. 

On Tuesday, July 16, the Devon YFC team will attempt to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales in just 24 hours. 

The challenge is to raise money for the Farming Community Network (FCN), Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and Devon YFC.

The young farmers taking on the challenge are: Dan Grist, Kayleigh Lovegrove, Anneliese Retallick, Robin Bennett, Alison Balsdon, Jordan Winter, Chloe Arscott, Harry Sprague, Sam Merchant and Alex Rodd. 

Dan, Devon YFC county chairman, said: “When I started my year as County Chairman, I knew I wanted to take on a big charity challenge that would raise money and awareness of these incredibly important rural charities, with a focus on mental health.

“Looking after our young people’s mental health is as important as ever in these changing times, and the partnerships we have with FCN and RABI are crucial in helping Devon YFC support our members.”

FCN provides practical and pastoral support to farmers and their families through difficult times. Their national helpline provides free, confidential support to anyone who seeks help and their website contains some valuable resources to improve farming resilience.

RABI also offers practical, financial, and emotional support to farming people. Among the many professional services offered, they provide counselling support, mental health training and an online mental wellbeing service.

To donate, or leave a message of support to the team members, click here. 

“It’s crucial that we are all aware of these charities and are able to signpost people when they need support," Dan added.

"Within Devon YFC we also deliver a ‘Rural + Wellbeing’ course, which focuses on managing personal mental wellbeing and how to talk about mental health.

“It’s also important to remember that Devon YFC is a charity in itself, supporting hundreds of young people living in rural areas across the county. YFC gives young people so many opportunities from training to travel. Not to mention a dynamic social life that brings rural communities together.

“We’ve been training over the past couple months and are excited to take on the challenge. We’re already incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the wider farming community and many agricultural businesses.”