Latest news with #Drigg
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Replica air ambulance helicopter to be dragged 77 miles from village to air base
A replica air ambulance helicopter will be dragged 77 miles in a charity effort. Drigg Young Farmers Club (Drigg YFC) is set to pull the faux helicopter from their village to the Great North Air Ambulance Service's (GNAAS) base in Langwathby, Penrith, this weekend. The replica, affectionately named 'Welly the Heli,' was crafted by one of the group's advisory members over four months, transforming a car into a helicopter using various materials and paint. The group pull the helicopter (Image: Drigg Young Farmers) The initiative, involving more than 80 participants, including advisory members and friends of the club, is intended to raise funds for GNAAS. About 75 people, aged from 11 upwards, will be pushing and pulling the helicopter on July 19 and 20. The planned route for 'Welly the Heli' begins at Drigg Village Hall and passes through a series of villages including Seascale, Gosforth, Beckermet, and St Bees, before extending to Whitehaven, Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick, and Penrith. The group pull the helicopter (Image: Drigg Young Farmers) Drigg YFC has already collected over £20,000 for GNAAS, with hopes of reaching a target of £30,000. The group chose GNAAS as their fundraising recipient, as many of their friends and family members have benefited from the service, which relies entirely on charitable contributions. One member of the club was airlifted last year after a horse-riding accident and will be participating in the push. The group pull the helicopter (Image: Drigg Young Farmers) The fundraising idea began last August, evolving from a brainstorming session for a major fundraiser. Previous initiatives included a 'Muck Haul,' which raised over £2,000, a helicopter drive, Mother's Day afternoon tea, a race night, and a tractor run. The transformation of a Suzuki Wagon R into 'Welly the Heli' began in January, with the car being revealed to the members in April. The car before it was transformed into a helicopter replica (Image: Drigg Young Farmers) The group then started regular training sessions, practising on a member's farm track. The club now anticipates the main event, with 'Welly the Heli' having gained significant attention and support over recent weeks. Drigg YFC's fundraising target has since been raised to £30,000, with a charity auction planned for August 23. The auction will include various items, from afternoon tea and a pressure washer to a signed Manchester United shirt and livestock.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Cumbrian construction firm secures nuclear site contract
A West Cumbrian construction firm has secured a major contract for work at a nuclear site. Workington-based Stobbarts has secured a £1.6 million contract with Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to deliver civil, infrastructure, and remediation works at the Low Level Waste Repository near Drigg. The contract covers a range of works across the 100-hectare site, including maintenance of roads, car parks, footpaths, and drainage, as well as resurfacing, white-line painting, and accessibility improvements. The contract is to deliver civil, infrastructure, and remediation works at the Low Level Waste Repository near Drigg (Image: Supplied) Adam Stobbart of Stobbarts Ltd said: "We are thrilled to have been selected by NWS to carry out these important works. "This award is based not only on the strength of our tender submission but our track record of working successfully on the Repository site. "We look forward to working in partnership with the client and other stakeholders to deliver the works. "The company will be aiming to bring a number of social value benefits throughout the project, including the creation of local jobs, training opportunities, and apprenticeships." The contract is part of a phased project expected to last nearly a year. It was awarded through a reserved procurement process restricted to Cumbrian suppliers. The contract covers a range of works across the 100-hectare site (Image: Supplied) Mike Pigott, site director at the repository, said: "Stobbarts have proven themselves a worthy SME for the work and we look forward to working together as an integrated repository site team. "We're thrilled that this contract is also supporting our local community. "Stobbarts will be leading on works to ensure all the basic infrastructure around the site is fully accessible and compliant with modern standards. "We hope to get 'boots on the ground' very shortly to commence this vital work." The Low Level Waste Repository is the UK's main facility for the disposal of 'low-level' radioactive waste. The site plays a role in the management and disposal of radioactive materials. Over the past decade, the UK has increasingly adopted more sustainable approaches to managing low-level waste. Options such as re-use, recycling, decontamination, incineration, and specialised landfill for waste with the lowest levels of radioactivity are now prioritised, with disposal at the repository considered a last resort.
