ROBBIE Tuer set himself several goals during his year serving as Chairman of the Northern District of Cumbria Young Farmers Clubs.

They were to raise money for two charities close to his heart, increase awareness of mental health in the rural youth, and visit every YFC club in north Cumbria.

And the Raughton Head young farmer will be able to achieve all three using pedal power when he takes on a mammoth biking challenge in August.

Along with other members from each of the 15 Northern District clubs on August 29 and 30, Government guidelines permitting, Robbie will cycle around 131 miles round every YFC club in north Cumbria, over a two day period, while at the same time raise money for Carlisle and Eden Mind and West Cumbria Hospice at Home.

Starting at Drigg and working their way up the coast to Brampton on day one, Robbie and fellow cyclists, will pass through 11 of the clubs , cycling around 86 miles. On the second day they will leave Brampton and work their way down to Penrith before finishing the ride at Robbie's home club of Raughton Head, a total of a further 45 miles.

With outdoor exercise being encouraged by the government it has allowed the YFC members to get out and train throughout the lockdown and with the restrictions relaxing it has allowed the well-planned event to be put into motion. ‘

Cycling round the clubs of the Northern District, involving every club in the event and encouraging positive mental health ties in well with the National Young Farmers ‘Ruralplus’ campaign to raise awareness, identify support, and address the issues that rural isolation causes.

Northern District YFC President Richard Gardiner said "We have never before seen what we have in the past few months and young people have been more isolated than ever before. What is being organised is a great opportunity. Everyone struggles with the pressures of growing up from time to time and young people in rural areas have the added difficulties of accessing real social networks, education, transport and services. In some cases, these issues can lead to a feeling of rural isolation or social exclusion."

If you would like to support the event please make cheques payable to ‘Cumbria Young Farmers – Northern District’ (send them to Cumbria YFC County Office, Newton Rigg, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0AH)or get in touch with robbietuer@hotmail.co.uk or you can find the link to the Virgin Money Giving on my Facebook event – Cumbria YFC ND Charity Bike Ride 2020.

Robbie said: “Covid-19 has had a huge impact on everyone’s everyday lives and people in rural communities and locations have been hit hardest of all. With exercise of any form proving to better people’s mental health, what better way to raise some money for two amazing charities than bike round the 15 clubs of Cumbria YFC? I’m hoping for a good turnout and have only had positive support from the clubs I have spoken to. More people are keen to do the whole thing than I thought, with others saying that members will join for a leg of the journey. The two charities have been working tirelessly throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic to provide the help and care that people require."