Members Raise over £3,000 for Rural Support Through Tandem Cycle

The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) raised an impressive £3,776 for Rural Support following a two-day tandem cycle challenge which saw members of the organisation’s Presidential Team cycle from Belfast to Omagh ahead of the YFCU Annual General Meeting.

The cycle took place from Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th April 2026, with the challenge organised to raise much-needed funds for Rural Support, a charity which provides a confidential listening and signposting service to farmers, farming families and those living and working in rural communities across Northern Ireland.

Five members of the YFCU Presidential Team — Richard Beattie, Joyce Allen, Iain Wilson, Adrianna Coulter and Karen Walker — took on the challenge, setting off from the YFCU headquarters in North Belfast and making their way to the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh, where they were joined by fellow YFCU members ahead of the organisation’s AGM.

Along the route, the cyclists made a number of stops at Young Farmers’ Clubs, giving them the opportunity to meet with members from across Northern Ireland. The group visited Straid YFC, Holestone YFC, Kilrea YFC, Finvoy YFC, Kells & Connor YFC, Curragh YFC, Moneymore YFC, Castlecaulfield YFC and Seskinore YFC during the journey.

The tandem cycle provided an opportunity for YFCU members to come together to support an organisation which plays an important role in the rural community. Following the successful completion of the cycle, YFCU CEO Derek Lough, alongside Presidential Team members Richard Beattie, Iain Wilson, Joyce Allen and Adrianna Coulter, presented a cheque for £3,776.00 to Rural Support.

The funds raised will help Rural Support to continue delivering its services to people across Northern Ireland’s farming and rural communities, providing impartial guidance for farmers and farm family members in support of their farm business and personal wellbeing.

The success of the tandem cycle highlighted the strong network of Young Farmers’ Clubs across Northern Ireland, with clubs along the route welcoming the Presidential Team and getting behind the fundraising effort. The money rasied will make a valuable contribution towards Rural Support’s ongoing work, helping to ensure that farmers and farming families across Northern Ireland continue to have access to the support, advice and listening service they need.