Young farmers clubs must do more to inform the general public about the charity work they do, members attending the 76th annual general meeting at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool were urged.

Nationally well over £1m was raised every year for hundreds of different charities, but such news rarely reached the wider media, NFYFC chief executive James Eckley said. “We’re doing a lot with RABI’s national welly week at the moment and we’re also working on plans where NFYFC might adopt a chosen charity each year.”

Individual clubs also had strong links with local charities, which were close to the hearts of members in that area, he noted.

But while clubs worked hard locally to raise funds, national chairman, Dan Halliday added that it was essential they came together as a national movement (NFYFC) to publicise what they were doing.

Rachael Webber from Cornwall YFC agreed that clubs should do more to tell farming and non-farming people about their efforts.

The county was announced winner of the HRH Prince of Wales Perpetual Challenge trophy for the most money raised per member, after 20 clubs raised over £51,000 – equivalent to £81.68 for every member.

Proceeds from a variety of events, including a 120-mile walk to last year’s convention in Torquay, charity fashion show and a dung sale, would go to their nominated charity – Cancer and Leukaemia In Children (CLIC). “It’s a great achievement, but we really need to tell more people about it,” she said.

See pictures from the 2008 event on our dedicated picture gallery