Madam,

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is farming’s oldest welfare charity and exists to support people from the industry in financial hardship. However, many farming people remain reluctant to come forward and seek our help. In 2015 we gave out grants of more than £1.87m to around 1,300 individuals and families and more than £268,000 of this was paid to working farmers. We support working farmers, farmworkers and their families who rely on farming for their main source of income. Help can also be given to retired farmers, farmworkers and their dependants.

Many people become beneficiaries of RABI, receiving regular quarterly or annual grants. We also help with payments for telephone line rentals, lifeline alarms, TV licences and home-help costs. Additionally, we might pay for larger items that people need but cannot afford, such as electrically-powered wheelchairs and scooters, riser/recliner chairs, stairlifts and white goods such as washing machines, fridges and cookers. RABI assists working farmers by providing one-off emergency grants to help with domestic bills. Many people fall into financial difficulty through circumstances beyond their control, with things such as flooding and falling commodity prices impacting on incomes. Following the recent floods in northern England we gave out emergency grants of more than £45,000 in little more than a month. This past year, we have been kept extremely busy helping people claim state benefits and tax credits and challenging decisions with mandatory reconsiderations and appeals, to ensure people receive what they are entitled to. Farm accidents, unexpected deaths, serious illnesses such as cancer, neurological diseases, strokes and heart disease, conditions causing pain and poor mobility (such as arthritis and back conditions), mental illness and loneliness are other reasons why people seek our help. RABI’s work is funded by voluntary donations, investment income and money raised at events arranged by county volunteer committees, businesses, community groups and fundraising staff. Voluntary county committees are the lifeblood of the charity – working at a grass-roots level to raise awareness as well as funds. Many in the modern farming world continue to struggle and their problems are increasingly complex. It can be hard for anyone to admit that they need help but we work in total confidence. We urge anyone in the farming community who is in financial need and has minimal savings to call our confidential freephone helpline 0808 2819490 today. Just ask, because we do a lot more than you think.

Yours etc

Linda Jones

RABI regional manager for Wales.