The three girls from Newtownhamilton High School who are currently participating in the finals for the ABP Angus Youth Challenge hope that their raffle can keep the ball rolling for Air Ambulance NI after their ‘Farm to Fork Festival’ and Civic Award success.
Last year, Aimee McCombe, Ellen Bailie and Sophie McKnight reached the final of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, alongside Banbridge Academy, Cookstown High School and St Catherine’s College, Armagh, after competing against 18 other teams and being judged by a panel of industry experts.
The finalists were given a mini-herd of Angus cross calves courtesy of ABP and the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group, which they have to rear through to beef.
According to the ABP Angus Youth Challenge website, the challenge is aimed towards inspiring secondary-level pupils, with the finalists tasked with researching “farming and food production methods that can meet the changing needs of the marketplace”, over the course of a year-long programme.
They will use this learning in a practical way, through the care of the mini-herd of calves, with the support of a CAFRE mentor.
At the end of the programme, one overall winning team will receive a £1,000 cash prize for their school.
As part of their programme, and to raise money for Air Ambulance NI, the girls organised Newtown’s first ever ‘Farm to Fork Festival’, which was held on September 3 and saw the community rally around their campaign. Alongside the festival, the girls held a tractor run. which saw 96 tractors taking to the streets of Newtownhamilton, which completely blew the expected number of 40 tractors out of the water.
Then on September 7, the team kept up their winning streak at the Newry, Mourne & Down District Council Civic Awards in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, where they were nominated for a civic award, to recognise their achievements as finalists in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge.
Now, they want to add even more donations to the pot for Air Ambulance NI, with their upcoming raffle, which offers a huge range of prizes from local businesses.
The winner of first prize will be treated to a one night stay for two in Killeavy Castle Estate, kindly sponsored by Thompson Fuels in Tandragee, while second prize will get a children’s Claas Arion 640 Pedal Tractor, sponsored by Erwin Agricare Ltd.
Third prize will win a £100 voucher, to use at Mackin’s Animal Feeds in Newry.
Other prizes available include:
- Kids rolly Abbey tanker- Abbey Machinery, Nenagh
- Regatta Insulated waterproof Abbey jacket- Abbey Machinery, Nenagh
- Massey Ferguson 8s.265 Model- Troughtons, Poyntzpass
- £50 voucher- Modern Tyres, Newry
- Regatta insulated waterproof Modern Tyres Jacket- Modern Tyres, Newry
- Two soft shell ladies Modern Tyres Jackets- Modern Tyres, Newry
- Three Redrock soft shell Jackets- Redrock Machinery
- £50 Voucher for Rices Poyntzpass- JPH Law Solicitors
- Grassmen Hoodie- Simms Bros.
- Auto smart Car Care Polishing Kit- Stephen Pollard Autosmart, Warrenpoint
- £25 meat voucher- E. Collins & Sons, Bessbrook
- Food Hamper- J.D. Hunter & Co Supermarket
- 4.75L Honeycomb Ice Cream- Ballydougherty Icecream
- 4.75L Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream- Ballydougherty Icecream
- Chip and Dip Ceramic Dish- Dalzell’s of Markethill | Armagh Electrical.com
- Bouquet of Flowers or Hanging Basket- Beatties, Markethill
- 2 £50 vouchers- Auto Supplies Newry Ltd
- Signed CD’s- Marty Mone
- £50 voucher for viscounts Dungannon– Ulster Farmers Union, Markethill
- A hoodie and bobble hat- Burkes of Cornascriebe LTD
- £50 Voucher – Fane Valley Stores Eleven Lane Ends
- 1 Vegetable Hamper- Gilfresh Produce
- Family VIP Pass For The Mourne Eye – Dizzylands Funfair
- A pedicure foot treatment buy DMK
- Sponsored by Paula Hayes – Paula Hayes Skin & Aesthetics
- £25 Voucher – Fane Valley
Even more prizes have been added since, and they have even had to extend the deadline date. The draw is now set to take place on October 19 at 3:15pm.
All who wish to enter the raffle to support the team’s appeal, and be in with a chance of winning some of the amazing prizes, are asked to contact the girls on their Angus Youth Challenge Facebook page here. Online payment is available.
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