Norfolk YFC's anniversary ball raises £54k for skills fund

The Oak Ball at the Norfolk Showground in May was attended by more than 1,500 YFC members past and present, along with sponsors and supporters.

It defied expectations by raising a total of £54,317.20 - all of which will be invested in the Norfolk YFC Skills Initiative Fund, which helps pay for career-boosting training and qualifications.

Norfolk YFC county president Ches Broom, who chaired the Oak Ball committee, said it was "an incredible feat".

"We had initially hoped to raise £30,000, but I must admit that until six weeks before the event we were struggling to break even," she said.

"Costs were much higher than we had expected but the support of the members team and the committee was amazing.

"Everybody dug deep to reduce costs, and we had a number of sponsors who came in late in the day and some very, very generous people who gave us auction lots, as well as those who bid for them.

"I don't think anything could have gone better with the event - the warmth, the feeling of farming coming together to celebrate our 80th anniversary, was brilliant."

Norfolk Young Farmers' Club (YFC) raised £54,000 for its Skills Initiative Fund at its 80th anniversary Oak Ball at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Matthew Olley) "Every penny raised will be spent on young people's training. 

"Money is tight on most farms at the moment, and many cannot afford to train their staff. We have got youngsters who want to get on with their farming careers, but cannot because no-one wants to take on someone who is not qualified, and they don't have the certificates. So this money will give them a real boost."

Norfolk YFC's honorary treasurer Ben Johnson added: "The Skills Initiative Fund was originally formed in our 70th anniversary and the addition of these funds will further support our members by contributing towards training and course costs that will increase and improve their skills and advancing their careers further.

"We truly are grateful to everyone who supported the Oak Ball, whether that be attending, donating auction and raffle prizes and sponsoring - thank you to our lead sponsors, the AF Group, Ben Burgess & Co, Frontier Agriculture and BQP, part of Pilgrims Europe."

Norfolk Young Farmers' Club (YFC) raised £54,000 for its Skills Initiative Fund at its 80th anniversary Oak Ball at the Norfolk Showground. Pictured: Oak Ball committee (Image: Matthew Olley)