A replica Great North Air Ambulance helicopter is being pushed and pulled across Cumbria this weekend from Drigg to Langwathby and will be travelling through Penrith on Sunday.
Drigg Young Farmers have organised the charity event to
raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance hoping to raise £30,000 by the time
they arrive in Langwathby where the Great North Air Ambulance based on Sunday
afternoon.
The journey across Cumbria got underway at 8:30 this morning (Saturday, 19th July) from Drigg with the helicopter been pushed and pulled up the West Cumbria coast by members of the Young Farmer with communities coming out to cheering them along the route as they passed through Whitehaven and onto Workington.
The young farmers are currently on route to Keswick for a well-earned
overnight pit-stop.
They will set off on Sunday morning at 9:30 on the final stage
of the 78 mile event heading to Threlkeld then onto Greystoke expected arriving
at Bunkers Hill at 12:30pm where Skelton and Penrith YFC will be proudly
hosting Drigg YFC to show their support for YFC community.
The helicopter and young farmers pulling it will then head down the B5288 (Greystoke Road) to Penrith. They will travel through Castletown along Brunswick Road around onto Middlegate along Sandgate then up what will be a testing climb up Fell Lane pulling and pushing the helicopter before reaching Beacon Edge to head out to Langwathby where they hope to arrive at 2:30pm having raised thousands of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance along the way.
A spokesperson for the group said “We are hoping to raise as
much money as possible for the GNAA by pushing to new heights to pull a replica
helicopter from Drigg to Langwathby, a distance of 78 miles”
The fundraisers will be pulling the helicopter through most of Cumbria before ending the journey at Langwathby tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, 20th July)
The young farmers received a message of encouragement and support before they started the 78 mile charity event from the Cumbria Deputy Lieutenant Tess Hart MBE who said:
"Today, you’re not just pulling a Heli - you’re pulling together as a team, pulling for the vital Great North Air Ambulance and pulling the weight of hope for those who need it most.
Your strength goes beyond muscles It’s in your hearts, your unity and your determination to make a difference.
Every step, every tug, every ounce of effort is a reminder that when a community comes together, there’s no such thing as “too heavy” Your energy, spirit and generosity show what rural resilience really looks like!
Keep pushing- Keep pulling, You’re not just raising money - you’re raising spirits.
You’ve got this! and we’re with you all the way.
I will be there at the Great North Air Ambulance Depot to cheer you home on Sunday afternoon. See you there."
There will be donations buckets travelling along the route with the young farmers and the helicopter and you can also donate online at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/charity/drigg-and-district-young-farmers-club
Photos by photographer Tom Kay
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
