Latest news with #RABI
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cumbria siblings to swim, run and cycle from Ireland to Tynemouth
A brother and sister from a farming family that lost loved ones to suicide say there is "a lot of work to be done" to address depression in the industry and stop stoicism preventing farmers asking for Addison and his younger sister Alex Addison plan to cycle, run and swim the 340 miles (550km) from the west coast of Ireland to Tynemouth on the north-east of England coast in just four Addison, originally from Kings Meaburn near Penrith, Cumbria, said the route "ties together our family story" because their mother and her brother were born in 34-year-old said their uncle took his own life when they were young and "the shadow of that" affected their childhood. Farming still had "one of the highest suicide rates out of any profession", Mr Addison said."Some of the factors that we have to deal with day to day, including climate change, political policy, economics of farming itself, all make it a very challenging place to be," he said."Farming does have this stoicism about 'you've just got to knuckle down and get through this' which is amazing from a resilience point of view, less good when you actually want to talk to somebody about things or express your feelings in a healthy way."The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), which provides mental health support services for farmers who may be struggling with anxiety or depression, said the most recent available survey data suggested more than a third of the farming community had "mental wellbeing scores that are sufficiently low to cause concern".Its report from 2021 also suggested nearly half experienced anxiety. The siblings want to raise money and awareness with what they are calling their Borderline Challenge, which is due to start with a 140-mile (225km) bike ride from Sligo to Donaghadee in the help of four friends they intend to relay-swim the 22-mile (35km) stretch of the Irish sea to Port Patrick, returning to bikes to reach will run the final 70-mile (115km) stretch along Hadrian's Wall to the North East Addison, a medical engineer, said the particular route was important."Through Northern Ireland, the south of Scotland and the north of England, it ties together our family story," he said."We've had some incidences that have been very close to home. "We unfortunately lost our uncle to suicide when we were much younger and the shadow of that has really informed our childhood." Miss Addison, a 29-year-old marketing executive, said she had been sceptical."My initial thought was 'he's an idiot'," she said."Second thought was 'this sounds amazing, I definitely want to do it'."To be able to do a really once-in-a-lifetime experience across places which mean so much to myself and family was an incredible opportunity."Miss Addison is hoping the challenge will spark an important conversation in the farming community."Encouraging people that you can show vulnerability and then also reach out and ask for help is equally admirable as just keeping calm and carrying on," she said. Mr Addison said he would consider the challenge a success if he could change "just a little bit" anyone's idea they had to "suffer in silence"."The passing of my uncle has really been one of the motivators for us doing this challenge," he said."It's been a taboo subject that we really haven't spoken about a lot as a family and I think that has its own influence." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Leader Live
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Vale of Clwyd Tractor Run is a hit once more as it returns
The event is held annually to help raise money for some very worthwhile causes. After raising over £3,500 last year, the run returned on Sunday (June 1), with tractors setting off from Glasdir Auction in Ruthin. From there, a colourful convoy of around 105 sets of wheels - which included about 10 classic Land Rovers - set off for the slopes of Moel Llys Y coed. They then went on to pass through the villages of Cilcan, Pantymwyn, Gwernaffield and Maeshafn, with a stop for lunch at Eryrys amid glorious sunshine and spectacular views. TOP STORIES TODAY Everyone made it back safely and, as a result of the run, Vale of Clwyd MIND and RABI will be sharing the proceeds which currently stand at over £2,700. A statement from the organisers read: "A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us today — it was fantastic to see so many friendly faces along the route!"
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Farmers' tractor tribute to teen crash victims
A tractor run was held earlier in memory of two teenagers who died in a car crash on New Year's Day. William Herbert, 16, and Olly Mitchell, 18, were passengers in a VW Golf that was in collision with a Vauxhall Grandland in Staithes Road, Preston, near Hull. More than 100 tractors took part in the event from Howden to Bishop Burton, near Beverley. Both teenagers were members of The Young Farmers, which organised the tribute, with money raised going to the Dogs Trust and the farmers' charity RABI. Organiser James Midgley said: "It's just something nice, something they would have both liked to have been part of." Mr Midgley said both William, from Howden, and Olly, from Ellerton, were tractor enthusiasts and had travelled on two of the vehicles that took part in the run on Sunday. "We thought there would have been no better way than to get all of their mates together and people who knew them by doing something they enjoyed." Farmers taking part in the run stopped for lunch in Bishop Burton, where William and Olly had studied. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Survey looks at women's mental health in farming
Trudy Herniman was 23 years old when her mother, a farmer's wife, took her own life."She wasn't someone who cried. She was very matter-of-fact and just got on with things," she saidA survey by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) in 2021 found that 43% of women in rural areas were classified as either possibly or probably part of a three-year study, researchers at the University of Exeter are seeking the views of women in farming to help improve the support provided for their health and wellbeing. Ms Herniman, 52, of South Molton, works as a field insurance advisor and makes it her job to offer support when said: "You're invited into the farmhouse kitchen – people tell you about their worries, their fears, the challenges they are suffering."If I can prevent what happened to my mum from happening to someone else, I will. "If I can get them to open up, then I will. That's her legacy."She added that women were the backbone in farming, and she saw a huge amount of stress and burden put upon them. In 2021, The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) surveyed 15,296 people from across England and Wales (76% male, 23% female)It found:36% of all respondents were classified as either possibly or probably depressed. For women, this figure was 43%.47% were experiencing anxiety to some degree (women 58%). 18% moderate or severe anxiety (women 23%). Carly Titmus, 44 works for the young suicide prevention charity, visits livestock markets in the South West of England to promote said: "I have worked alongside women in our farming communities. "There is a lot of discussion around isolation and feeling like they are not fitting in and getting time off the farm to have that break away." Three-year study Researchers are seeking the views of women in farming to help improve the support provided for their health and research is led by the University of Exeter and the Farming Community Network (FCN) said it aimed to better understand the physical and mental health of women working in agriculture - including potential stressors in farming and barriers to seeking survey is part of the three-year research project and team members said they were keen to hear from all women over the age of 18 who were either living and/or working on said the results would be shared with relevant public health bodies and policy Rebecca Wheeler, from the University of Exeter, who is leading the project, said: "We want to hear about the experiences of women from across the UK – of all ages and backgrounds – and from different roles in agriculture."Linda Jones, national manager (FCN Cymru), said: "This is an important opportunity for women in farming to share their views and contribute to this new research. "There has historically been limited research conducted into the health and wellbeing of women in farming – including both the positive aspects, as well as any unique stressors or barriers that may be faced and potential implications for their life choices."
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First grand fundraising ball to support North Yorkshire farmers
A grand fundraising ball will be held in North Yorkshire for the first time to support farmers in the county. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is hosting the event at Sandburn Hall, in Flaxton, on Saturday, March 29. The RABI Ball will raise funds for the charity's work across the region. The black-tie event, sponsored by H&H Insurance Brokers, will feature live music, a three-course meal, and wine. Sue Baird, a committee member, said: "As the farmers' charity for the UK, it is our aim to provide support, whether financial or emotional, to as many farmers going through hardship as possible, and we want to spread the message far and wide that we are here for them. "The RABI Ball has been held in other parts of the country to great success, and we're excited to be bringing an event like this to North Yorkshire. "By hosting the ball, we want to raise vital funds and awareness of the work the charity does, while also allowing the local community to get together and have a great evening at the same time." H&H Insurance Brokers, which has an office in Northallerton and operates across North Yorkshire, is the event's sponsor. The company arranges insurance across various sectors, including agriculture, business, tourism, and hospitality. Corinne Cooper, who leads H&H Insurance Brokers' operations in North Yorkshire and is a committee member at North Yorkshire's RABI branch, said: "As a company working across rural and agricultural communities, H&H Insurance Brokers is sensitive to the difficult times some farmers experience from time to time. "I'm an advocate in encouraging farmers and their families to talk about any issues they have and to seek support, and I am passionate about supporting people to improve their mental wellbeing. "The amazing work RABI does nationally is a great resource for farmers who need its support services, and we at H&H Insurance Brokers are really proud to be associated with the charity and the upcoming RABI Ball." Tickets for the RABI Ball are available from ccooper@ by March 15.
