The Community Spirit Award recognises clubs for the support they give their local community through fundraisers as well as practical support. This award celebrates the clubs that have gone above and beyond to support their rural communities.
Three judges chose our five finalists for this year's award and we will find out at the Awards ceremony on 12 December 2026 who is the winner and runner up.
Craswall YFC has been a force for good in its local community throughout the year. During severe winter flooding, members worked together to clear ditches and help keep local roads safe and accessible. The club also supports a wide range of community events, from assisting with car parking at local shows and concerts to organising an annual pantomime that brings people together while raising money for charitable causes. The club’s fundraising efforts have raised more than £12,000 for St Michael’s Hospice in memory of a valued club supporter.
Whether supporting local events, fundraising for important causes or rallying around fellow members in times of need, Craswall YFC embodies the spirit of community. Their willingness to support others have made them a trusted and valued part of the local area.
Drigg YFC has been dedicated to supporting its community through fundraisers, celebrations and volunteer projects.
Involving members of all ages, they have worked together to support local causes and bring people together. One of their most impressive efforts was their Welly the Heli challenge, where members pushed a one-tonne replica helicopter 77 miles across Cumbria in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service.Driven by a desire to support a charity that has helped many local families, they have raised an incredible £100,000, while also promoting wellbeing, encouraging community participation and showcasing the positive role of Young Farmers.
Their dedication, creativity and commitment have gained widespread recognition and inspired people across the region. Drigg YFC has demonstrated the difference a club can make when members work together towards a common goal.
Llandovery YFC may be a small club in the heart of rural Carmarthenshire, but it has made a big impression on its local community. Serving a market town of around 2,800 people and the surrounding villages, the club has become a trusted hub for fundraising, volunteering and community support.
Throughout the year, members have raised thousands of pounds for charities including Calon Hearts, local healthcare services and other community causes through events such as bingo evenings, Christmas wreath sales, auctions and their first-ever Christmas Tractor Run, which brought hundreds of people into the town and raised almost £5,000. The club’s support goes much further than fundraising.
Members regularly volunteer at local events, steward car parking at livestock sales, support local churches and charities, donate to the food bank, plant flower beds, litter-pick around the town and help organise community events such as Drover Fest alongside the local Rotary Club. Members play an active role in making their town a better place to live and have secured Llandovery YFC as a valued part of the community.
Sedbergh YFC values community life, bringing people together through volunteering, fundraising and a wide range of popular local events. Throughout the year, members organise quiz nights, domino drives, entertainment evenings and community activities that provide valuable social opportunities for residents of all ages, particularly in what can be an isolated rural area.
Their annual Santa’s Sleigh has become a festive tradition for local families. The club is equally committed to practical support, regularly helping maintain local churches as part of its community challenge, while also stepping in when needed to support the area through challenges such as severe weather. Their fundraising efforts have benefited local causes including a local firefighter charity after a firefighter was injured, and mental health charity PAPYRUS, following the sad loss of a former member.
Sedbergh YFC has earned respect within the local community through their support of local charities, maintaining community spaces or simply creating opportunities for people to connect and have fun.
Spalding YFC has made a significant contribution to its local community through volunteering, fundraising and community events that bring people together all year round. Members play a key role in supporting events such as the Moulton Harvest Weekend, local flower parades, Santa Sleigh collections and Open Farm Sunday, regularly giving their time to help with stewarding, parking and event organisation.
Their popular Christmas Tractor Road Run and annual dinner ball not only attract strong public support but also raise funds for charities including Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support.
The club is always willing to get involved where help is needed, from tidying the local railway station to supporting community groups and local businesses. Through teamwork, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to giving back, Spalding YFC has built lasting relationships across the community while promoting the positive impact of Young Farmers.