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Young farmers stitch hats for premature babies at Harrogate Hospital

Tuesday, 2 September 2025 08:25

Rebecca Keay (right) of Yorkshire Young Farmers and Yvonne Campbell of Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust.

A group of young farmers have been getting crafty for a worthwhile local cause.

Members of the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers have donated handmade hats to the Special Baby Care Unit at Harrogate District Hospital, following a new competition introduced at their annual County Rally.

For the first time this year, the rally included a challenge to crochet a hat for a premature baby.

Open to members aged 10 to 28, the competition attracted a wide variety of colourful and creative designs.

The entries were displayed on the Young Farmers stand at the Great Yorkshire Show, where they were judged by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s President Consort, Hilda Walmsley.

In total, 36 hats were collected and later presented to the hospital.

The winning design was created by Eva Fawce of Stokesley Young Farmers Club, with Jayne Ellis from Winksley cum Grantley taking second place and Chloe Barker from Masham finishing third.

Rebecca Keay, Chair of the Promotion and Skills Committee of Yorkshire Young Farmers, said:

“Members from across our 43 clubs crafted some fantastic hats and it was great to be able to donate them to such a special and worthwhile cause.”

She added that the project highlighted the talents of members:

“Young Farmers Clubs do a lot for charities including tractor runs, Christmas tree collections and much more, but this was a different activity to normal and demonstrated our members’ skills.”

The hats were formally handed over to Yvonne Campbell, Head of Charity at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

Young Farmers Clubs are open to anyone aged 10 to 28, regardless of agricultural background.

Alongside weekly meetings, clubs run a wide range of activities from sports and public speaking to community projects, often raising funds for charities and good causes.

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