Charity praised for farm support

National Farmers' Union chiefs have welcomed the valuable work being done in Staffordshire by a charity which supports people in farming who are suffering from hardship or distress.

Fay Dewey of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) addressed NFU members from the county at the County Showground on Thursday.

The NFU's Staffordshire county committee was told about the work being done by the charity which has 1,500 beneficiaries nationwide and has 28 full-time beneficiaries in the county.

The charity helps people who have worked full-time on the land as a farmer, farm manager or farm worker for at least 10 years and their dependants.

Miss Dewey, who is the charity's regional officer, outlined how quarterly grants are given along with advice and support to those in need of assistance.

She said she was grateful to the NFU and Staffordshire charity volunteers who had supported RABI at a fundraising dinner earlier this year at the showground.

The event raised £8,000 to help the charity's work.

Miss Dewey said they were also keen to raise awareness of the good work they are doing in the community. A third of funding to RABI comes from voluntary contributions and legacies.

The charity was founded in 1860 and aids members of the farming community suffering need, hardship or distress. For further details call 01865 724931 or email info@rabi.org.uk