RSABI supporter’s kindness sees fundraising doubled to £50,000

Scottish agricultural charity RSABI is extending thanks to everyone who raised funds for its summer campaign with special thanks to a mystery donor whose generosity has seen the total doubled to £50,000.

The inspiration for the summer Double the Difference fundraising campaign came from an anonymous supporter – now revealed as The Wiseman Family Charitable Trust.

The campaign was proposed by Alan Wiseman, an Honorary Vice President of RSABI and a longstanding supporter of the charity, who was keen to encourage and inspire more people to support RSABI.

Alan recognised that while some supporters may choose to run a marathon, organise a large fundraising event or take on another major challenge, not everyone wants to, or is able to do so.

Instead, the campaign was designed to incentivise new individuals, families, community groups and organisations to make a difference in a way that was meaningful to them, knowing that their donation would be matched and have double the impact.

The result has been an incredible £50,000 raised for RSABI, with contributions coming from across Scotland and further afield, including donations from as far as America.

Support has taken many different forms, from funeral collections and wedding favours to raffles and tractor runs, with people and groups inspired by the opportunity to double their support of RSABI and get behind the great work of the charity.

One of the donations came from the Tarland Arts & Recreation Team following this year’s hugely successful T in the Tent event. The team donated £4,000, which was doubled to £8,000 through the campaign.

Sarah Smith, one of the T in the Tent organisers, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the important work RSABI does for people in the Scottish agricultural community with our event and hope the money raised will help even more farming families across Scotland.”

The campaign marked 25 years since RSABI’s confidential helpline (0808 1234 555) was launched, providing a vital lifeline for people working in Scottish agriculture who have needed support through difficult times.

Pauline Macmillan, Head of Fundraising at RSABI, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached our £25,000 target and to have raised £50,000 through this brilliant campaign. Alan’s proposal was a really simple but powerful one, to give people the opportunity to support RSABI in a way that worked for them, while knowing that their donation would go twice as far.

“We’ve been incredibly touched by the response, with donations coming from individuals, families, community groups and organisations, and in so many different ways.

“We are hugely grateful to The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund for making the match funding possible, and to Alan for coming up with such a fantastic idea.

“Most importantly, the £50,000 raised will help us continue supporting people across Scottish agriculture with practical, financial and emotional support when they need it most.”

RSABI provides free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its 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.