Support for farmers struggling with mental health is set to benefit from a cash boost thanks to a charity event arranged by Powys’ young people.

Dyffryn Banw Young Farmers Club (YFC) has donated £500 to The Daniel Picton-Jones Foundation after hosting a successful tractor run through the Banw Valley.

“This means that over the last year the club has raised more than £ 1,900 for various charities including some very close to members of the community,” said club secretary Lynfa Jones. “I would like to thank you all for your support.”

The charitable foundation, widely known as The DPJ Foundation, thanked the club adding that “it is an amazing total and will help massively.”

The DPJ Foundation aims to support people in rural communities with poor mental health, especially men in the agricultural sector. It was set up by Emma Picton-Jones in memory of her husband, Daniel, after he took his own life.

Since being set up three years ago the foundation has extended its one-to-one 24-hour telephone support and counselling service from Pembrokeshire into Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys.

The foundation’s Powys champion Mar Parry went to meet Dyffryn Banw YFC officials to collect their generous donation.

Ms Parry said: “Thank you so much for raising money for The DPJ [Foundation] and also mental health awareness.

“You are all very special people”

Wales YFC announced earlier this month that they will work with the foundation to raise awareness of mental health in agriculture and young people.

Chairman Katie Davies said: “Alongside the fundraising it is important that we as members, talk and support each other. Mental health affects us all and by talking we can help combat the stigma surrounding mental health and help each other.”

According to Samaritans Powys, the county has the highest suicide rate in Wales. They say with economic uncertainty, social isolation and uncertainty over Brexit, farmers are at a greater risk of taking their own lives.

The DPJ Foundation can be contacted free around the clock 356 days a year on 0800 587 4262