Club Secretary Rosie Pratt took on a dual role last year as both Drigg YFC's Chair as well as Chair of its major fundraising Welly the Heli campaign. With 39 members, Rosie has dedicated her life to the club since she joined 12 years ago when she was 10, and even before that as both parents were active members and are now on the advisory.
Rosie shares her experience of being a dedicated volunteer and what it takes to achieve success in fundraising!
As a small, junior heavy club, Drigg all meet together for a business meeting every other week in our local village hall, with a fun night on the opposite week to keep all members engaged.
I wanted to take on a role within my club to try and help give the members what I was given as a junior. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the supportive and encouraging top table members I had in my younger years.
I like to think I have a good balance between my personal life and club duties, however my friends may disagree as it’s very rare they find me talking about anything other than YFC, never mind trying to find time to see me outside of YFC!
Working in a secondary school, which lots of YFC members attend, can sometimes make it confusing as to when to be known as ‘Rosie’ or ‘Miss Pratt’. However, this also helps me understand how to build relationships and mix with younger members.
Leadership. Although this is a massive part of being a YFC officer, it was definitely something different having to lead both members and advisory at once while ensuring everyone is happy.
Last year as club chair, I also took on the role of our 'Welly the Heli Chair' where I led our fundraising campaign to push a replica helicopter 77 miles for The Great North Air Ambulance. This was alongside other mini fundraisers and collectively, the campaign has raised over £100,000 for the charity.
We also won the Lionel Hill MBE Charity Cup for being the club to raise the most money per member during the 2024-2025 membership year, which we were presented with at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Clubs.
Fundraising has always been a big part of Drigg YFC, especially for local causes which have often had connections with members or families.
Members are always keen to help support fundraisers whether it be a bingo night or a muck haul. We like to have a variety of fundraising events, which means there’s always something for members to have a go at.
We had a mixture of ages all working together to achieve the same goal, it’s was lovely to see everyone mixing together with people they’ve possibly never met before. We all agreed getting out together and talking improved our mental health, so following this I have included 'wellbeing walks' into our club calendar.
As “Welly the Heli” was a two-day event, we struggled to think of where to stop for dinner on the second day. But then we remembered how powerful and generous YFC can be and reached out to members around the Penrith area who were more than happy to help us!
Many hands make light work! With members, past members, advisory and families around to support clubs so many of them are keen to get involved, ask for help, and give it a go, you never know you might surprise yourself!
If your club has done a lot of fundraising or community work – remember to enter the Community Spirit Award before 31 May 2026.
If you would like to be featured in our club officer check in, email media@nfyfc.org.uk. Find more information and guidance for club officers in the YFC Handbook.
