Dear Editor,

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) has been around since 1860 and is farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity. This year, we have given out more than £1.1 million to the retired, sick and disabled and we remain committed to looking after farming people throughout their lives.

In today’s world there are so many challenges people must face in later life and health issues can be draining, both physically and mentally. However, our motto is ‘once a farmer, always a farmer’ and we will not shy away from supporting farming people of all ages, including retired farmers, farmworkers and dependants.

Recently the care home of a 92-year-old former land girl closed indefinitely for ‘refurbishment’. Most of the residents moved on quickly to a sister home, but they wouldn’t take this lady because of her physical needs. Her daughter told us: “It was like a sinking ship. In the end there was only Mum and one other lady left there with no proper night staff. Mum cried and cried.”

Needing to find a new care home for their mother at short notice, the family identified one that was suitable – but the local council wanted to move her to an alternative home much further away. It became a battle – and the family contacted R.A.B.I to meet the costs of the top-up fee shortfall at their preferred home because they couldn’t afford to pay the fees themselves. We agreed to do this.

Most of us will need to rely on care at some point in our lives, if not for ourselves, then for loved ones. We understand the anxieties many older people face and we are committed to offering long-term support to families in financial hardship from the farming sector.

To contact R.A.B.I, telephone 0808 2819490.

Paul Burrows

R.A.B.I Chief Executive