Visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show have helped raise a record-breaking donation to charity by bidding for their favourite cheeses.
Proceeds from the Show’s popular Cheese Auction total £12,502 and will be split between two charities, Samaritans and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
It is the largest amount ever raised by the Cheese Auction at the Show, thanks to a match-funding contribution by HSBC in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Chief Steward of the Great Yorkshire Show’s Cheese and Dairy Section, Caroline Bell from Shepherds Purse Cheeses said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to our generous cheesemakers for donating their award-winning cheeses, and to our brilliant auctioneers who bring such energy to the event.
“A heartfelt thank you as well to the public who joined in with such enthusiasm.
“This joyful finale raised an amazing £12,502 for two vital charities, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Samaritans, with thanks also to HSBC for their generous match funding.
“It’s a true celebration of the spirit and generosity of our cheese community.”
Rachel Coates, Show Director, added:
“What a brilliant result! I am delighted that the Cheese Auction continues to be such a great success and for two great charities.
“Samaritans have gone to great efforts over recent years to promote its freephone helpline to the farming community, while the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is another lifeline service which you hope you never have to use, but which is hugely appreciated by rural communities for their rapid response to emergency situations in difficult to reach locations.
“Both charities are very worthy recipients.”
Ted Ogden and Sam Bradley were the auctioneers for what was a lively 90-minute auction of cheeses at the 166th Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate last month (8-11 July) after judging had taken place in the Cheese and Dairy Section.
A fitting finale to a grand showcase of talented cheesemakers, the auction is a chance for visitors to bid for a round of their favourite cheese from the UK’s best cheese producers.
Each year proceeds from the auction are donated to nominated charities.
Alison Lumley of Samaritans Rural Initiative said:
“Thank you for such a generous donation to Samaritans of Yorkshire and Humberside Rural Initiative which we will use to support our work with farming communities.
“Samaritans understand that farmers are especially likely to experience isolation and loneliness, whilst coping with the many challenges that farming presents.
“We know that talking to someone confidentially about your feelings without fear of judgement can be a massive help.
“We are committed to raising awareness of the emotional support that is available 24/7 via our freephone service, and this generous donation will help us to continue our work.”
Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling free on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org
Clare Deacon, Regional Fundraiser at Yorkshire Air Ambulance said:
“Yorkshire Air Ambulance were delighted to be chosen as a recipient of the very generous bids at the cheese auction.
“The Great Yorkshire Show is a highlight of our fundraising calendar. Not only are we incredibly grateful for the donation, it helps raise awareness too.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a charity providing a life-saving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across Yorkshire.
It operates from air support units at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk and last year it attended to 1,226 patients.
This year’s fundraising means the Show’s Cheese Auction has now raised more than £62,000 for worthy causes over the years.
Other recipients have included the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Herriot Hospice Homecare and Addington Fund.
The Cheese Auction will again be a feature of the Cheese and Dairy section in 2026.
The dates for next year’s Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th July 2026. Tickets go on sale in November.
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