Archive Article: 2001/06/15

15 June 2001




Farmers Weekly wants to say a big thank you to everyone who has 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.

Mrs D E Pozniak of Torquay, Devon, has given £25 to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. "Although born a towny, I have a love of the countryside, as many others do, and ones heart goes out to those who witness their lifes work going up in flames. I am sorry that I can only afford this amount as I am a pensioner."

Promar International raised more than £1100 for the RABI with a tractor pull through the town centre in Newbury, Berks. The event, "driven by the muscle power of 18 Promar employees", raised the money through corporate donations, street collections, personal sponsorship, a cake sale and a T-shirt sale.

Francine Morris Swift sent £50 from the USA to the RABI. "My late husband and I are the first generation of both our families to be off the land completely," she wrote in her letter accompanying the donation. "He died in mid-January without knowing, thank goodness, what was about to happen to a countryside we both loved.

"I think you will like to know that farmers, stockmen and all others affected by the hoof-and-mouth crisis were mentioned in our parish prayers at St Albans Episcopal Church in Washington DC."

&#8226 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 020 8652 4928 or e-mail tim.relf@rbi.co.uk.


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