A major event hosted in North Yorkshire has surpassed the £50,000 milestone in money raised for charity, by selling cheese.

Cheese lovers at the Great Yorkshire Show have raised the money for a range of charitable causes in just over a decade.

The milestone has been reached following this summer’s show, where an annual auction of cheeses raised £8,530 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), a charity which to support farming people through practical, financial and emotional assistance.

Once judging has taken place in the cheese and dairy section, Great Yorkshire Show visitors are given the chance to bid for a round of their favourite cheese.

Proceeds from the auction are then donated to a nominated charity each year.

(L-R) Caroline Bell, Chief GYS Cheese and Dairy Steward, Rachel Coates, Show Director, and Sally Conner, RABI North East Regional Manager (Image: YAS)

RABI is the latest recipient, with other beneficiaries over the last 12 years having included: Herriot Hospice Homecare, The Samaritan’s Regional Rural Initiative, Addington Fund and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Rachel Coates, Show Director, said: "A huge thank you to Great Yorkshire Show visitors for generously supporting the cheese auction, this year and over the last 12 years, raising an incredible amount for great causes that are so important to farming families.

"We know that the funds raised are going to an excellent cause again this year."

Chief Steward of the Great Yorkshire Show’s cheese and dairy Section, Caroline Bell from Shepherds Purse Cheeses added: "The cheese auction is always a highlight of the Great Yorkshire Show’s cheese and dairy Section, and it really is our visitors who make it such a big success.

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"Thank you to all the cheese makers who entered this year and donated their cheeses to the auction, to all the auctioneers who did such a brilliant job and to the public who supported it.

"It is amazing to have raised over £8,500 for RABI towards its invaluable work."

The dates for next year’s Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday, July 8, to Friday, July 11 in 2025 and tickets will go on sale in November.

RABI said the core of their mission is to address the individual needs of farming people.

They offer one-to-one support, advice and guidance, which they say is tailored to every unique circumstance. Their 24/7 freephone helpline, for those who need it, can be found at 0800 188 4444.