RURAL CHARITY RSABI has launched a campaign to attract 500 new businesses and individuals to join its Supporter Scheme.

This year's exceptional circumstances are preventing the charity from holding its annual Great Glen Challenge event, which last year raised £53,000 to help people involved in Scottish agriculture who are in hardship.

So to help fill the gap in expected income, it has launched the #RSABI500 campaign to encourage regular giving to the charity, with the Individual Supporter Scheme starting at just £2 per month.

Chief executive Nina Clancy explained: “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," said Ms Clancy.

“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 added that they would now aim for a 2021 Great Glen Challenge that was 'bigger and better than ever': “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.

To join, head to https://bit.ly/RSABIsupporter or contact andrew.dunlop@rsabi.org.uk or call 07746 677 423; and margo.wills@rsabi.org.uk or call 07342 880 357