Archive Article: 2002/05/10
Farming families are now able to benefit from cash grants thanks to a scheme launched today by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and farmers weekly. Its simple to apply for, confidential and can offer the free cash boost youre looking for in these tough times
RABI and farmers weekly have teamed up to offer hard-pressed farming families across the UK a helping hand. The two organisations have designed a grant scheme to get cash to farming families to help with household bills or other domestic expenses.
Many farming families are facing such pressures at the moment. Problems have arisen due to all manner of reasons – it might be a result of foot-and-mouth or low returns in the arable sector. Alternatively, they might be due to an illness or injury to a breadwinner or possibly even the breakdown in a family relationship.
Whatever your circumstances, however, the RABI/FW Grant Scheme could make a big difference, relieving some of your immediate financial worries.
The grants can be a single lump-sum or a series of payments. And while the RABIs charter (and Charities Com-mission rules) mean this financial support cannot cover business expenses, essential expenditure on the family home is eligible.
This scheme can, therefore, provide money for a huge variety of items – fuel, telephone and food bills, to give just three examples.
And every £ that you can get through the scheme to spend on such items, means youll have to find one less £ of your own money for your business.
Every application will, of course, be handled completely confidentially. Farming families are – and always have been – proud, resilient and independent and you may view asking for support as a sign of failure. But try not to.
For generations, farmers have worked incredibly hard for modest rewards. And the current circumstances are exceptional, with a whole series of events having conspired against the industry. Incomes have dropped to their lowest for generations, bringing money worries to homes where such worries have never occurred before.
The RABI/FW Grant Scheme could give you the chance to sow the seeds of a better, more prosperous future. Our two organisations have, between us, been serving the farming community for more than 200 years and we hope this initiative will play a part in the long-awaited farming recovery.
People who have already been helped by RABI cash say the hardest thing was asking in the first place. Once theyve done that, they often experience a huge sense of relief that their problems will at last be shared by someone who will listen and understand.
Theyll also tell you that, if the request for financial help had been made earlier, the suffering would have been reduced.
So, if you think youd benefit, please dont delay. Get in touch now. Farmers, farm managers, farm workers and their families are all eligible to apply. Application is, of course, no guarantee of approval, but all applications will be carefully considered, in a bid to ensure money is dispatched to as many of those who are eligible as possible.
To apply, call the relevant number (on the opposite page) and a member of RABIs experienced, trained and sympathetic staff will send you details and an application form.
Many thousands of people have already taken advantage of RABI cash. Members of the public donated the money generously to RABI to help farmers because they know what a vital role you play in feeding the nation and caring for the countryside.
They gave it to RABI to give to you. Thats what its there for. The RABI/FW Grant Scheme will hopefully help play a part in this process.
• In Scotland, the Scheme is available via the Royal Scottish Benevolent Insti-tution (RSABI).