Free farmer health checks run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society have been given a £10,000 boost.

Thanks to funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund, the YAS can now roll out more free farmer health checks at Livestock Marts and Machinery Shows across Yorkshire.

YAS has been offering free farmer health checks for the last 10 years, to connect with farmers in their working environment. The checks include a basic MOT with a blood pressure and cholesterol test as well as the chance to discuss any other health worries including smoking, diet, alcohol/drugs or mental health.

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “Having access to experienced nurses who completely understand the everyday challenges of running a farming business, very often alone or with minimal help, goes a long way to offering early warnings to more serious health conditions.

“We know that farmers are the last to seek help from a doctor so we take the medic to them in their own working environment at marts and machinery shows. Farming can be an isolating and tough profession so having extra funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund to offer this service is vital.”

MacMillan, The Samaritans and Farming Help Charities join as many of the health checks as possible to demonstrate solidarity with the farming community.

A series of farmer health checks will run over the Winter months and dates and venues will be announced in September/October.

Established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2010, The Prince’s Countryside Fund exists to improve the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life. Through its partnerships and events, it celebrates and promotes the value of the countryside.

The Fund sees the British countryside as a huge national asset with its contribution to everyday life often underestimated. It provides more than £1m in grant and initiative funding every year to projects across the UK that help to provide a secure future for the countryside.

Several Yorkshire farming families have also benefited from The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme and rural communities have been helped in times of crisis through the Emergency Fund.

EDITOR’S NOTES

• The Great Yorkshire Show is England’s premier agricultural event, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity supporting rural Yorkshire
• The YAS supports and promotes the farming industry through health care, business, education and funding scientific research into rural affairs.
• The YAS is supported by its family of businesses including Fodder, Yorkshire Event Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate and the Harrogate Caravan Park as well as events Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live and Springtime Live.
• Events at the Great Yorkshire Showground contribute £47 million a year to the local economy.

CONTACT

Jo Francisco
PR Manager
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Direct Line: 01423 546215 | Mobile: 07954 007414
Email: jof@yas.co.uk