Rural Support has established an Emergency Fund to assist farmers and rural dwellers who have been adversely affected by the recent severe weather conditions. Applicants must be experiencing exceptionally difficult circumstances and priority will be given (but not exclusively) to applicants in the Dromara Hills, the Glens of Antrim, the Mournes and the Sperrins.
Given the limited resources available, funds will be limited to a maximum of £300 per application. Rural Support requests that a one page application form be completed and returned to our office. The form can be requested from the Rural Support office by telephone 028 867 600 40 and is also available to be downloaded from our website www.ruralsupport.org.uk
Rural Support fully recognises that this small amount of money will not alone solve people’s problems, but it is hoped that this will help to bridge a gap for some vulnerable individuals and families who find themselves in difficult financial situations at this time. The fund will only consider applications that require financial support for emergency situations and where the applicant can provide evidence of the hardship that has been caused by recent weather. As an example the fund will consider applications that require financial support for emergency feed for livestock or emergency home heating.
Closing date for applications will be 10th May 2013.
Rural Support helpline number: 0845 606 7 607
For the past eleven years Rural Support has continued to provide a listening and signposting service for farmers and rural families across Northern Ireland. Rural Support’s staff and volunteers are all from a rural background and understand the emotional drain, financial difficulties and isolation experienced by farming and rural communities.
If you or someone you know would benefit from speaking to a Rural Support volunteer please ring our helpline which is confidential and is available 8am to 11pm, seven days a week (voicemail and support options available at all other times). The helpline number is 0845 606 7 607.
