Taking place in June, stall holder donations were taken for local Kent food, drink & craft businesses wishing to take part.

RABI writes:
“I am delighted to be emailing to thank you for the generous donations of £315, plus Gift Aid, raised by at Romney Marsh Wools’ Virtual Open Day. What an inventive way to fundraise and a fantastic sum at the end of it! It is very kind of you all to do this for us in light of the pressures the industry has been under this year. I do hope that you enjoyed putting on the Open Day. The money you have raised really will help R.A.B.I make a difference to those in need in the farming community.

As you will know, the combined impacts of the coronavirus, earlier storms and impending Brexit, have all added to the challenges faced by farming families. R.A.B.I’s purpose continues to be to assist people from the farming community during these difficult times and our Helpline is operating, even if we have had to drastically adapt the way that we do things as a result of the pandemic.

Since March, we have been receiving calls related to the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on families. These calls are, of course, in addition to all the other enquiries for help that we receive relating to other personal crises such as accidents or illness. Our team has also been pro-actively keeping regular contact with our vulnerable elderly or disabled beneficiaries who receive long-term help from R.A.B.I due to the current crisis. This is so they can get advice, or to simply have a chat, which has been particularly important for those living on their own during the lockdown. To date, R.A.B.I have given grants of £1.4 million to more than 1,000 farming people and their families nationally. It has been a busy year so far, and it is likely to get busier still as the impact of the coronavirus is really felt.

Once again, thank you all for Romney Marsh Wools’ support of R.A.B.I – it is so important to us.”