WHITCHURCH Young Farmers Club (YFC) has raised £1,000 with a tractor run in aid of the club and those caught up in the Ukrainian invasion.

Half of the money raised will go towards providing supplies which are already on their way to support Ukrainians, while the other half will help the club host its social events.

The event on Sunday, March 13 saw tractors set off from the Old Jack Inn, Calverhall.

A spokesman said: "Whitchurch YFC are very pleased to announce that we have currently raised a total of £1,000 from our tractor run.

"Half of this money has been spent on supplies for the Ukrainian people which we dropped this morning at AR Richards for their next lorry load going across seas.

"We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has participated, donated, marshalled etc. We are overwhelmed by the support."

The club said seeing the devastation in Ukraine, on the news, motivated them to donate money.

Club treasurer Jo Forrester said: "We know Ukraine is quite an agricultural place but we have been watching the news and it has been such a shock.

"Could you imagine what it would be like if it had happened here?

"Knowing that there is a lot of agriculture in Ukraine came into it but quite a lot of it was us looking at the news and thinking we need to do something to help."

Whitchurch YFC provides an important social life for many youngsters who grow up in isolated rural towns and villages.

Sarah Mageniss said: "It is very lonely in the agricultural world, farming on the farm, so you might not see people for a few days.

"It is a support network, getting them together."

Ms Forrester added: " The money goes towards competitions for the members. It will pay for training for members, like the county runs training activity.

"It goes towards sports trips, this year we went to Norway.

"It is about opportunities in rural areas."

Their next event will be Whitchurch YFC Ploughing Match on Saturday, March 26.