Our helping hand to the farming community
The alarm at 3am woke him from his fitful slumber in the chair, boots and coat were ready to put on.
Across to the lambing shed, listening to sounds, he watched quietly, pleased to see the canny old ewe had taken the foster lamb.
As the dawn broke he felt his spirits lift, the chat yesterday with the welfare officer from the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution had helped to settle his worries.
The farmer had been very kind when shepherd Alan’s wife suffered a stroke. He had time off, they had contacted RABI and the charity had provided a grant for a special chair for Rebecca. However the promised Personal Independence Payment had not appeared. After the Welfare Officer took the matter up with Department of Works and Pensions, a cheque was received.
There are many ways the charity can help working people, from relief farm staff, debt advice, to training grants and hospital travel costs. It is always worth phoning the Freephone RABI helpline – 0808 281 9490
Last year nationally, RABI helped people claim over £473,000 in state benefits, with compassion and confidentiality. Many hours are spent by the welfare teams, filling in paperwork, attending panel meetings, and reassuring people that there is hope for their future.
If you would like to join with fundraising please contact regional manager Kate Jones on 07876 492839.
The oldest farming charity has welcomed a new chief executive, Alicia Chivers, an accountant from a farming family, on the retirement of Paul Burrows, after 12 years of dedicated work.
We hope that Alicia will join friends at the county NFU chairman’s lunch on April 28 at Minsterley when we raise funds for Shropshire RABI.
We are grateful to all those who supported the recent Grand Draw, almost raising £800, also the kind team at Tuffins, Craven Arms, who made up Christmas hampers for beneficiaries.
A large thank you to all those generous Shropshire individuals, families, communities, young and old farmers and businesses who fundraise and donated a magnificent £37,000 over the last year. A total of £57,773.93 was spent on 35 farming families, ranging from mid-50s to 97 – the shortfall is provided by the Head Office.
Everyone is most welcome at the annual quiz, organised by the Mullard family on March 8 at Hadnall Village Hall, with a delicious meal served at 7pm. Contact Mervin on 01588 640734
Also Shropshire is fortunate to have a Rural Support group, always there to listen. After 13 years Brenda has retired and Ruth will answer on 0300 123 2825
Christine Downes is a Shropshire committee member of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
