An Ayrshire farming family has taken fundraising to new heights - after raising £70,000 for two charities.
Drew and Ann Young and family, of Girvan Mains, raised the sum after they held a major fundraising event to celebrate some milestones for the couple.
Instead of gifts for their 60th birthdays and their 40th wedding anniversary, the couple rallied friends and family to support a special party and a live auction to raise funds for two charities close to their hearts.
The charities are RSABI - which provides practical, emotional and financial support to all people involved in the Scottish agricultural industry-. and Camphill Blair Drummond, an assisted living facility, where daughter Hannah is a resident.
Chair of RSABI, David Leggat, and Lynda Ferguson and Gerry McKeown, from Camphill Blair Drummond, met members of the Young family at the United Auctions Bull Sales and the Youngs were delighted to present cheques for £35,000 to each charity.
After setting an initial fundraising target of £10,000 for each charity, the Youngs were blown away by the response to their event and the generosity of those who donated money-can’t-buy items for auction and those who dug deep to buy them.
“We were astounded by the response from friends, family and neighbours when we started to organise the event. As a family we have been bowled over by the support,” said Drew Young.
“Both these charities are very dear to our hearts, and we are delighted to be able to hand over such a great sum and to be able to play our part in supporting the valuable work they do.”
Izy Young added: “Hannah and I are immensely proud to have such incredibly kind parents with the biggest of hearts.
“This is something we will talk about as a family for years to come and will never forget the kindness of our sponsors and donors without whom this event would just not of been the success that was. We cannot thank you all enough!”
David Leggat Chair of RSABI, said: “The Youngs really have raised an outstanding amount which is testament to their determination to run a really special event. It is a shining example of the closeness of the farming community and what can be achieved.”
Gerry McKeown, development and enterprise manager at Camphill Blair Drummond added: “This is tremendous amount of money that has been raised and we are extremely grateful to have been chosen as one of the charities close to their hearts.
“Special thanks to all their family and circle of friends for their donations either financial or for the donations which were then auctioned.”
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