YOUNG farmers are swapping their tractors for push bikes as they cycle from Blackpole to Blackpool to raise cash for charity.

Worcestershire Young Farmers are ditching four wheels in favour of two as they cycle to the National Federation’s annual meeting at the Lancashire resort, raising £10,000 for charity in the process.

County chairman Helen Harcombe, aged 26, of Elmley Lovett, near Hartlebury, and a team of 16 other young farmers will set off from Blackpole, Worcester, on Tuesday, April 30, ahead of their 214-mile journey. They plan to follow the national cycle network all the way to the finishing line at the Blackpool Tower on Friday, May 3. The challenge is in aid of two charities – Cancer Research UK and Worcester Samaritans.

Miss Harcombe said: “Cancer Research is a charity close to our federation’s heart. After the passing of a member last year to the disease it was a unanimous decision to raise funds for this charity.”

Half of the money raised will go to Samaritans’ Worcester branch. Miss Harcombe added: “It’s been a challenging time for farmers over the last 12 months, both economically and due to the poor weather we’ve suffered. “As a rural youth organisation we have become increasingly aware of the challenges individuals and businesses face.

“All of the money raised for Samaritans will fund their call centre. We hope that it will also raise awareness of their services and the support they can provide.”

Six of Worcestershire’s nine young farmers clubs will be represented by their members and the team consists of cyclists of varying experience.

“Before signing up for the challenge, several of the team had never cycled more than 15 miles in one go but now they will be expected to cycle over 50,” Miss Harcombe added.

Anyone able to support the cyclists can donate at mydonate.bt.com/teams/wfyfcent