Awareness week was welly successful
“These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do.” So sang Nancy Sinatra in 1966.
It is almost the end of Welly Week 2018, which helps to raise awareness of the work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
Photos of wellies in mud, clean wellies in the office, children in wellies, chasing cattle in wellies – all these pictures on social media have illustrated the support for the farming community in difficult and challenging times.
The Shropshire RABI committee under the guidance of our West Midlands regional manager Kate Jones, who can be contacted on 07876 492 839 or email kate.jones@rabi.org.uk, has been busy throughout the last few months.
We are grateful for all the generous support of individuals, communities and businesses, to raise funds for farmers and farm workers who through no fault of their own are struggling financially.
From January to August, nationally 582 individuals and families contacted RABI for the first time. Each request is different, the confidentiality of the beneficiary is most important and the welfare officer will visit to help to put the best care plan in place.
It may be accessing state benefits, helping with debt advice, a training grant or providing food vouchers. A number of letters to Head Office in Oxford mention the great relief in talking openly to someone who is compassionate – “I just cried and sobbed down the phone, at last I was able to share the burden.”
The Freephone RABI helpline is 0808 281 9490, so do not struggle on, just call.
A wonderful day for the annual golf competition at Henlle Golf Course, raised £1,200, thanks to Heulwen and Mike for organising the teams.
Ten cyclists took part in the bike challenge from Tuam in Galway to Oswestry, donating over £800 to RABI in August. On a pleasant evening, teams at the annual Brockton Shoot raised £579.20. Books, bric-a-brac, produce and welcome coffees at Whitchurch Civic Centre, with Rob, Barbara and friends, gave an excellent £300 to support Shropshire farming families.
Following a family celebration, Peter and Jane Eardley offered the use of a beautiful marquee as the setting for a High Tea in September. The scene was set with vintage china, delicious refreshments and an auction, kindly conducted by David Giles. With support from FBC Manby Bowdler, the evening raised a magnificent £8,065.75.
We will be drawing the winning tickets from Shropshire RABI grand draw on November 27 at Shrewsbury Livestock Christmas Market, with excellent prizes. If you would like to help sell tickets, please contact Kate Jones
Christine Downes Shropshire R.A.B.I committee member
