Alberbury YFC in Shropshire raise more than £4,000 for charity
It was one casual club night in the local pub which led to the ambitious team from Alberbury YFC, part of Shropshire YFC, hitting the heights of Snowdon - raising over £4,000 for charity.
Owain Roberts, a member of the established club which has been in existence for 67 years, decided his members needed a challenge in their sights. He put forward the suggestion of running from Alberbury Village Hall, located west of Shrewsbury, to Snowdown, in just 12 hours.
In agreement, the group of 18 took on the challenge - the prospect of running 84 miles in total did not deter their enthusiasm and so the training began!
On the 3rd September, the challenge started at 4am at Alberbury Village Hall. The mission started well with the weather being kind, until they got above Bala and the heavens opened. The young farmers were not put off with this utter deluge but all ran in relays for the next 8 hours until they reached the base of Snowdon very wet and tired.
The weather was so awful that they were prevented from going up Snowdon, but they did complete the mission a fortnight later, where they bumped into other YFC clubs on Snowdon also raising money for charity. Alberbury YFC raised over £4,000 for three valuable local charities; Severn Hospice, The Harry Johnson Trust and Hope House.
Owain Roberts, a member of Alberbury YFC, said: “We ran a treacherous 20 miles each in 12.5 hours! 84 miles all together! The weather was less than ideal, running in torrential rain and crazy winds throughout the day but we did it! We were all so incredibly proud, especially of the amount of support we had, from cakes and sandwiches to strangers cheering along with our families and friends as we finished each stint. We finished the challenge with a beautiful walk up Snowdon just two weeks after the run, with some fabulous weather! It's safe to say that it was a day that will certainly live long in our memories.”
David Roberts, Managing Director of G.O. Davies adds: “Part of the joy of being an agricultural merchant is the connections we gain from being involved with the wider agricultural community. This in my case has been in many ways but particularly through the YFC over many years – where last year I held the position of President of Alberbury YFC. The YFC organisation is something that G.O. Davies passionately supports.
“The YFC movement make considerable charitable contributions to our county, they’re an organisation that not only have fun but do a tremendous amount of good at the same time. The YFC are driven, enthusiastic and determined to succeed and care for the local community; they represent all that is great about British agriculture.”