Dung runs and bingo: how Launceston and Warleggan YFC raised £8,500

Sheep shearing, dung runs, bingo nights and a round of Christmas tree collections. It is an unusual list of ways to pay for bereavement support, but it has just produced £8,500 for children and young people in Cornwall who have lost someone important to them.

The money comes from two Young Farmers Clubs, Launceston and Warleggan, who both picked Penhaligon’s Friends as a cause to back this year. And it arrives as the Cornish childhood bereavement charity reports record demand for its help.

Two cheques, one cause

Both clubs recently hosted cheque presentations with Penhaligon’s Friends. Launceston Young Farmers handed over £6,000 and Warleggan Young Farmers gave £2,500.

The charity says the money will go directly into supporting families through groups and memory days.

Getting there took a full calendar of events. Between them the two clubs put on shearing events, Big Breakfasts, dung runs, Christmas tree collections, bingo nights and tractor runs, raising awareness of the charity’s work along the way.

📷Penhaligon's Friends CEO Julie Parker with Launceston YFC, who donated £6,000 to support Penhaligon's Friends. Credit: Penhaligon's Friends

Record demand for bereavement support in Cornwall

In 2025/26, Penhaligon’s Friends supported 1,304 bereaved children and young people aged 0 to 18. That is an 18% rise on the previous year, and the charity describes it as a record level of need for childhood bereavement support across Cornwall.

The charity’s services include one-to-one support, memory days, family and teens groups, activity days, training, resources and a library of books.

“They have worked incredibly hard”

Julie Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Penhaligon’s Friends, said: “We were delighted when Launceston YF and Warleggan YF both chose to support us this year. They have worked incredibly hard to fundraise, and it has been wonderful to visit meetings and events and follow their progress on social media.

“Not only are they raising money, but they are also helping to raise awareness of our services, enabling more families to know about the support available should they need it. Their enthusiasm and commitment to helping local charities is truly appreciated.

“We rely on grants and donations to enable us to provide support to more than 1,000 bereaved children each year. Community support like this helps us continue delivering our vital services and ensures we can be there for families in the future.”

National Young Farmers’ Week and ‘belonging’

The donations have been announced as National Young Farmers’ Week celebrates the theme of ‘belonging’. The week-long celebration of Young Farmers’ Clubs runs throughout the UK and recognises the effect the movement has on its members, rural communities and the wider agricultural industry.

Young Farmers Clubs bring together members aged between 10 and 28. Penhaligon’s Friends says the clubs’ backing helps raise awareness of childhood bereavement among young people, and of the help available in their communities should one of them ever need it.

The charity says it welcomes opportunities to partner with Young Farmers Clubs across Cornwall, so that every bereaved child, young person and family, both within and outside rural communities, can access support when they need it, in a way that’s right for them.

📷Penhaligon's Friends' Fundraising and Communications Coordinator with Warleggan YFC, who donated £2,500 to support Penhaligon's Friends. Credit: Penhaligon's Friends