Students donate £1700+ to farming charity

Posted 27 May 2014

Harper Adams University students have raised more than £1700 for a national charity that supports farming families.

The funds were collected for R.A.B.I. by the Harper Adams RAG (Raise and Give) team and the agriculture, food and business course dinner organising committee.

The £1400 donated by RAG was raised through Students’ Union events such as sports matches, BBQs and live entertainment. The team has also donated to the nominated charities of three students that completed the London Marathon, and to children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent.

Former RAG Treasurer and Rural Enterprise and Land Management student, 19-year-old Ella Darby from West Sussex, said: “RAG is such an important part of Harper Adams and the student body is always so generous and keen to get involved with fundraising events.

“I am really pleased that we have been able to raise more than £1000 for such a worthwhile charity, one that potentially could provide assistance for any Harper Adams student in future in times of need.”

An additional £330 was raised at the agriculture, food and business course dinner, where Shropshire R.A.B.I. Committee member, Lloyd Jones, addressed students to explain the function of the charity and how they help those in need.

This featured an auction with prizes donated by local businesses, including afternoon tea for two, a fish pedicure and a tractor model.

Event organiser and Agri-food Marketing with Business Studies student, 22-year-old Catherine Bletcher from Flintshire, said: “We chose R.A.B.I. to receive the money as we believe it is a vital charity for the farming industry.

“No one knows what is around the corner and the monetary support that they provide is invaluable for farming families.

“It was also great to raise awareness of the charity to the next generation of farmers, so that they know where to go if they ever need help. Thanks to those that attended the event and donated.”

R.A.B.I. (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) provides care and support for farmers, farm workers, farm managers and their dependents. Many of those the charity supports are retired people who are struggling to live on low incomes. R.A.B.I. also helps people of any age in times of crisis.

West Midlands Regional Manager, Kate Jones, said: “We are incredibly thankful to Harper Adams and the students for their fundraising support, it is always a great pleasure to see young people engaging with the future of farming in this way and having fun while doing it!"