THE appalling floods in many regions this autumn, including south Yorkshire, made for difficult viewing.
Media coverage generally focused on households that were cut off for days on end and the damage caused to personal belongings but, as you would expect, many farmers were also badly affected.
Potatoes rotted in the wet ground, uncut maize for silage was ruined, newly-planted seeds failed to germinate and of course, farmers were unable to get onto their land.
I appeared, briefly, on Look North Leeds to explain how RABI is helping.
We made emergency grants of up to £3,000 available from our Crisis Fund, but it can be weeks and months before the full extent of the damage caused by flooding really hits home.
When you’ve suffered serious flooding, there is so much to do in the immediate aftermath.
Many people come to us for financial support and guidance long after the floodwaters have receded, when faced with the true costs of the clean-up.
We are currently busy handing out Christmas hampers to lots of the people, mostly elderly, who we support long-term.
RABI will give out about 700 hampers this Christmas at a cost to the charity of over £40,000.
Giving festive hampers to those who have given so much to the farming industry in years gone by is not just about need. It’s also about letting people know that somebody cares.
Some of our charity volunteers are involved in delivering hampers, which gives them first-hand experience of how much their efforts are appreciated. For many of the lonely people who receive a hamper it's a welcome visitor too.
It’s also the time of year for our farmhouse breakfast fundraisers and Sam Turner’s at Piercebridge has already hosted about 80 people for breakfast and will do so again on Friday, December 6.
These breakfasts provide an opportunity to meet and chat with old friends and to take advantage of discounted shopping, with such an eclectic range of goods there’s always something for Christmas presents.
What a great way to raise £1,000 or so for our cause.
As always, if you or someone you know from the farming industry needs our support please get in touch by calling our Freephone Helpline 0808 281 9490.
As well as offering financial assistance we help people navigate the increasingly complicated benefits system and we’ll also liaise with other organisations on your behalf.
