Farming family raise over £88,000 for RSABI

Friends and family of Borders farmer Neil Stewart have completed a moving 100-mile walk in his memory after he tragically took his own life June 2024 at the age of 60.

The walk raised £74,134.65, for Scottish agricultural charity RSABI while spreading a powerful message about mental health in the farming community, with Gift Aid contributions bringing the grand total to £88,726.69.

Neil’s wife Caroline Stewart, together with her three children Victoria, Emily, and Charlie, and a close group of family and friends, walked the length of the Kintyre Way from 2–7 June 2025. The walk, named ‘100 for One’, honoured Neil’s memory while shining a light on mental health challenges in agriculture, raising a truly phenomenal sum for RSABI, the charity supporting people in Scottish farming.

Driven by support and solidarity, the emotional 100-mile journey was an opportunity for the group to reflect and share fond memories of Neil, made even more special by the flood of kindness and generosity received throughout the walk, from heartfelt messages to generous donations from across the agricultural community and beyond.

Caroline Stewart said:

“We are completely overwhelmed and so deeply thankful for the support we’ve received throughout this journey. The kindness, encouragement and solidarity shown, along with the amazing donations raised for RSABI, are what kept us going. Being surrounded by friends and family every step of the way meant the world to us.

“The walk was an opportunity to honour Neil, who we miss every day, while raising awareness of mental health within the farming community. If our message has managed to reach just one person and encouraged them to reach out for help, then it has been more than worth it.”

The family’s campaign has not only raised an extraordinary total for RSABI’s vital support services, including its 24/7 helpline and free counselling, it has also helped to deliver the powerful message that no one in Scottish agriculture should feel alone.

Carol McLaren, RSABI Chief Executive, said:

“The strength, courage, and determination shown by the Stewart family has been nothing short of inspirational. By bravely sharing Neil’s story, they have made a profound difference to the farming community, delivering an incredibly important message that no one in Scottish agriculture should feel alone and that help is available as well as raising over £70,000 in the process, a truly remarkable achievement.

“We are very grateful to everyone who walked, donated, or shared the ‘100 for One’ message. The impact of this collective effort will continue to support and inspire others long after the final mile was walked.”

To support the Stewart family’s ongoing fundraising, donations can still be made via JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/page/neil-thomson-1 or by texting 100FORONE to 70450 to donate £20.

RSABI’s free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:

• Samaritans: 116 123 (Available 24/7)
• Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Available Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am. At weekends, open between Friday 6pm and Monday 6am)
• NHS 24 mental health hub on: 111 (Available 24/7)

If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.