DEVON Youth Farmers' Clubs have raised an incredible £81,000 for local and national charities over the past 12 months.

At their Annual General Meeting, the Devon Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs announced that members from across the county's 37 clubs had donated in excess of £81,000 to charities over the course of the year.

Members have once again excelled themselves by organising a fantastic range of wacky events and activities – all in the name of charity! Some of the highlights have included; jumping out of aeroplanes, sitting in baths of baked beans, a 24 hour ploughathon, pledge auctions, round-bale rolling, sponsored cycling and even stripping naked for a Devon take on the Calendar Girls!

One beneficiary, the Devon Air Ambulance Trust has received more than £17,000 from clubs this year. A spokesperson for the DAAT, said: "We rely heavily on our supporters to raise money to keep the two emergency Air Ambulances flying.

"Each year we have to raise in the region of £4 million and the money raised through the enthusiasm of the Devon YFC is truly appreciated. Every penny really makes a difference."

Devon YFC County Organiser, Nick Creasy agrees: "It's a fantastic achievement to see a youth organisation raise so much needed money for charities across the country," he said. "Devon clubs are all charities in their own right and will have raised much more besides what they have been able to donate, just to keep themselves afloat.

"I'm always amazed by the enthusiasm and imagination of the club members in dreaming up such diverse fund-raising activities."

Each year clubs nominate a charity that will benefit from any monies raised. In addition to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, the Laura Persey Trust, Children's Hospice SW, British Hart Foundation, Diabetes UK, and Exeter Leukaemia Fund have all received donations from Devon Young Farmers' clubs.