Orkney's East Mainland Young Farmers Complete 600-mile Fundraising Challenge

That the Parliament congratulates Orkney’s East Mainland Young Farmers on raising over £1,500 as part of a special fundraising effort for The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI); understands that the group challenged themselves to walk, cycle or horse-ride 600 miles, which is the same distance travelling from Orkney to the Royal Highland Show (RHS) Fairground, to raise funds for the RSABI and to mark what would have been the RHS weekend before it was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; acknowledges that the RHS is typically one of the highlights of the year for young farmers across the country and plays an important role in helping farmers to stay connected; believes that this fundraising effort was therefore an excellent way for the group to celebrate the RHS and to spend time together as they normally would have done at the show; further acknowledges the exceptional work that RSABI does to support rural communities and individuals working in Scotland’s agriculture sector, including providing practical support and financial assistance to those in need, and also offering friendship and companionship to those experiencing isolation or loneliness; recognises that Orkney’s East Mainland Young Farmers reached a combined total of 1,015.7 miles, thereby exceeding its goal of 600 miles, which also more than trebled its fundraising target in the process; thanks and commends all members of group on their impressive contributions and hard work to raise such invaluable funds for RSABI; pays special tribute to Magnus Risbridger who contributed an outstanding 120 miles on his own, and wishes Orkney’s East Mainland Young Farmers another successful year ahead and all the best for the 2021 RHS.