A rural charity has launched their fifth annual ‘Christmas Hamper Scheme’ aimed at helping farming families in need this festive season.
Northern Ireland based charity Rural Support has teamed up with local wind energy company Simple Power to encourage local food and drink producers to lend a helping hand, by donating suitable hamper items.
With this support, the team hope to match last year’s total of 120 hampers and ensure they each are packed with treats and local goods.
The past few months have been difficult for Northern Ireland’s rural and farming community with intense pressure on farmers due to prolonged wet weather, floods in the north west and challenges relating to having enough fodder for the winter ahead.
Rural Support’s Chief Executive, Jude McCann, said: “Our Christmas Hamper Scheme aims to connect in with farmers and remind everyone that Rural Support is here to help when the stress becomes too much.
“Last year, we were delighted with the response to the initiative, which saw around 120 hampers delivered to families in need and this would not have been possible without the incredibly generous support from our local agri-producers.”
With even more farming families facing difficulties after this tough year, Rural Support are calling on local food and drink producers to get in touch to make a contribution.
“We would appeal to local food and drink businesses to help support us in this vital scheme by kindly donating to the appeal. You can make a huge difference to a rural family in need this Christmas,” Mr McCann explained.
Since 2002, Rural Support has been helping farming and rural families across Northern Ireland on a wide range of issues from finance issues to physical and mental health issues.
To get involved in the Rural Support ‘Christmas Hamper Scheme’, in partnership with Simple Power, call 028 8676 0040 or email: Kerri@ruralsupport.org.uk
