Cycling for African Farmers
More than 40 Scottish young farmers are cycling from Aviemore to Kinross next week to raise money to help young farmers in Africa.
The group, who are all members of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC), will cycle 145 miles over three days as part of the Spirit of Hope Campaign which aims to raise vital funds for young farmers in Benin, West Africa, as well as the SAYFC.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP, will officially start the event in Aviemore on the 12th August and the group will be joined by 10 more participants for the final leg between Stirling and Kinross on the 14th, including the President of the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), Jim McLaren, and Vice President Allan Bowie.
The agriculture project in Benin is run by Mercy Ships and trains young farmers in organic, reproducible farming methods designed to increase yields and provide them with the long-term ability to feed their families and earn a living.
Penny Laird, National Secretary of the SAYFC who is organising and participating in the bike ride, said, “In addition to the many smaller events that local clubs are organising for the campaign, we wanted take on a big challenge to raise money for our peers in Africa.
“The Scottish young farmers have really embraced the Spirit of Hope Campaign and with so many of us participating in the cycle ride, I’m sure we will reach out target of helping 200 young farmers in Benin.”
Launched in March, the Spirit of Hope Campaign is a partnership between SAYFC, Robert Wiseman Dairies and Mercy Ships.
After an intensive 12-week course, young farmers in Benin return to their villages to put into practice what they have learned but to do this they need basic equipment – a hoe, a rake, some seeds, a pair of wellies, a watering can, a wheelbarrow and other tools. The total cost is approximately £75 per farmer.
Robert Wiseman Dairies is supporting the project and, if more than £15,000 is raised, will pay for three Young Farmers to visit the Food for Life project in Benin to experience first-hand what project is all about.
Susie Hope, Fundraising Manager Scotland for Mercy Ships, said, “This is an amazing challenge the young farmers are undertaking and is yet another example of the clubs embracing the Spirit of Hope Campaign.
“Mercy Ships completely relies on donations to carry out its medical and humanitarian work in Africa and it is wonderful that young farmers in Benin will benefit from the endeavours of their peers in Scotland.”