Archive Article: 2001/06/01
Farmers weekly wants to say a big thank you to everyone whos donated money and given help and support to those in need following the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
Money contributed to the emergency funds is throwing a lifeline to many families. Every penny really does make a difference. People have also rallied round to support farmers, with acts of kindness, offers of support and resources.
Yorkshire man Andrew Oldroyd raised more than £2200 for the ARC-Addington Fund with a sponsored 25-mile walk from Ripon Cathedral to York Minster. "Successive generations of family farms have made the countryside as fantastic as it is now and I feel very strongly that this national heritage should be supported," he says.
The Carmarthen Outreach Centre of the Salvation Army and the FUW sent out a tape produced by Carlisle Salvation Army Band and Mixed Choir to farmers across Carmarthen-shire. "We invite you to take a few minutes out of these troubled days to listen – and may you sense something of the peace of God in your life," wrote the Salvation Armys Major Martyn Clements in a letter accompanying the tape. "Please be assured that we stand with you, we will continue to pray that there will be a speedy end to the crisis and that you will feel our support in the coming days."
Farmer-owned grain merchant SCATS has donated £10,000 to the Farm Aid appeal. Collection boxes have also been placed in the 21 SCATS Countrystores. Managing director Tim Pollock says: "By contributing through this appeal, we know the donation will be distributed throughout the UK farming industry – not only to those affected by the F&M crisis, but also to arable growers facing financial difficulty."
* Have you or someone you know put your hand in your pocket or acted in response to the current crisis? If so, let us know. Call 0208 652 4928 or e-mail tim.relf@rbi.co.uk