Top charity award for Christine
Shropshire's Christine Downes has received a West Midlands regional award in recognition of her support of farming charity the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
Christine, from Church Stretton, received her regional volunteer's prize from Lord Plumb and RABI deputy chairman Joshua Hosier in front of more than 220 guests at the charity's annual meeting and awards ceremony in Oxfordshire.
She has been a member of RABI’s Shropshire committee for more than 20 years, including two years as chair. She is passionate about raising both awareness and funds for the cause and regularly takes the lead when it comes to organising events, rallying helpers or sourcing food and entertainers. She also writes a regular column in the Shropshire Star's "Farming Talk" section.
“It’s very humbling to be here today and to follow so many people who have done so much for RABI. The friendship is very special and we always try to put the fun into fundraising,” she said at the ceremony, which brought together staff, volunteers, committee members and corporate supporters from all over England and Wales.
Guest speaker was Max Jefferey, JCB director for global learning and development. Earlier this year, a bespoke JCB loadall built by 68 apprentices raised £74,000 at auction for the charity and the Louise Hartley Memorial Fund.
Last year, the charity gave out grants of around £2 million to farming people in financial hardship, including £297,000 to working people and their dependants. Voluntary income is RABI’s chief source of funding.
