Subsidised funding remains an important part in allowing members of Young Farmer’s Clubs the variety of opportunities they currently are offered.

Recently, members of the Ayrshire Association of Young Farmers Clubs (AAYFC) have completed two training days that SAYFC have on offer.

The ‘First Aid at Work’ course, which is delivered by St Andrew’s First Aid, involves a six-hour session and, on completion, participants are awarded a certificate that can be used at Young Farmers events, in the work place and as part of everyday activities for up to three years.

SAYFC has secured some funding from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust to partly subsidise these courses, therefore reducing the cost to members.

Alongside this, AAYFC have been awarded a £500 prize from the Ellen Kerr Awards Scheme for showing commitment to the Ellen Kerr Awards Scheme throughout the years.

On being awarded this prize, it was stipulated that it should go towards the running of the First Aid at Work course, therefore reducing the cost to members even further.

Overall, 22 members from five out of the seven AAYFC clubs participated.

The members who took part reported that they found the course beneficial and a great opportunity to gain new skills. This course is still currently being offered by SAYFC.

Applications to the Ellen Kerr Awards Scheme for funding are open to clubs and individual members in the West Region of SAYFC.

Trustees meet twice a year to discuss applications. The deadlines for applications are March 1 and September 1.

Over the last year, funding has been awarded to members travelling to New Zealand for the agri-affairs study tour, European rally delegates, and exchangees travelling as far afield as Canada, Kansas and New Zealand.

Clubs have received funding for laptops, printers, projectors, sports equipment and clothing, a marquee and even a storage container.

For every West Area competition held, the winning club receives a small engraved medal from the Ellen Kerr Award Scheme to attach onto their Ellen Kerr shields. Since the Ellen Kerr shields were first inaugurated in 1983, there has been approximately 800 medals given out.

n For more information contact Ellen Kerr secretary, Mary Welsh, on ellen_kerr_@hotmail.com or on 07866 970779.