New campaign aims to increase regular support for RSABI

RSABI is launching an ambitious campaign to attract 500 new businesses and individuals to join their Supporter Scheme.

This year the charity, which helps people in Scottish agriculture, is unable to hold its annual Great Glen Challenge fundraising event, which last year raised £53,000.

To help fill the gap in expected income, RSABI is launching the #RSABI500 campaign encouraging regular giving to the charity, with the Individual Supporter Scheme starting at just £2 per month.

RSABI Chief Executive Nina Clancy explains:

“The Supporter Scheme is always hugely important to RSABI, generating regular income which helps us to meet demand for our services.

“This year, with the loss of income from the Great Glen Challenge, the Supporter Scheme is more important than ever. From just £2 a month, you can make a real difference to someone from the agricultural community who is struggling.

“We’re helping around 25 to 30 new clients every month, and with economic uncertainties and Brexit on the horizon we expect demand for our services to increase in the coming months.

“I’d urge people and businesses to sign up as a supporter and help us provide vital services to people in the industry.”

RSABI Chair Ewan Pate explains that RSABI hope the 2021 Great Glen Challenge will be bigger and better than ever. He said: “We’re disappointed to announce we won’t be able to hold the Great Glen Challenge this year due to the pandemic. 

“It’s always a great day with teams from across the agricultural sector competing and raising a fantastic amount of money for us. We look forward to welcoming regular competitors and new teams to next year’s event.”

There are three levels of the RSABI Supporter Scheme:

• Individual – minimum £2 per month or £25 a year – covers the cost of six helpline calls, providing vital support to someone in the agricultural community.
• Business – minimum £150 a year – covers the average time a case officer needs to help a farmer who is unable to work after an accident or illness, making sure that the farm can continue and the family are not struggling.
• Corporate – minimum £500 a year – provides 10-12 counselling sessions for a farmer struggling with poor mental health helping them to move forward.

It’s quick and easy to join the Supporter Scheme just head to https://bit.ly/RSABIsupporter  or contact RSABI’s Development Officers:

Andrew Dunlop: Andrew.dunlop@rsabi.org.uk or call 07746 677 423

Margo Wills: margo.wills@rsabi.org.uk or call 07342 880 357