Rsabi summer fundraising campaign raises £50k

A summer fundraising campaign for Scottish farming charity Rsabi has raised £50,000 after supporters reached a £25,000 target, with donations matched by the Wiseman Family Charitable Trust.

The Double the Difference campaign was proposed by Alan Wiseman, an honorary vice-president of Rsabi and long-standing supporter, who wanted to encourage people to support the charity in ways that worked for them.

See also: Rsabi launches summer match-funding appeal

The campaign offered individuals, families, community groups and organisations the chance to have their fundraising doubled through match funding from the trust, whose support had initially been anonymous.

The response came from across Scotland and further afield, including the US, with fundraising taking many forms, from funeral collections and wedding favours to raffles, community events and tractor runs.

Among those taking part was the Tarland Arts & Recreation Team, which donated £4,000 raised through this year’s T in the Tent event. The match funding increased the contribution to £8,000.

Event organiser Sarah Smith said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the important work Rsabi does for people in the Scottish agricultural community with our event and hope the money raised will help even more farming families across Scotland.”

The campaign marked 25 years since Rsabi launched its confidential helpline, providing a vital lifeline for people working in Scottish agriculture who need support through difficult times.

Rsabi head of fundraising Pauline Macmillan said the charity was “absolutely delighted” to have reached its £25,000 target and raised £50,000 through the campaign.

She said the money would help the charity to continue providing practical, financial and emotional support to people across Scottish agriculture.

Rsabi’s free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day on 0808 1234 555 or through webchat at the Rsabi website.