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    West Sussex Breakfast
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    160 years – then and now

    07/02/2020
    Categories
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    • National News
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    160th anniversary

    160th anniversary collage. Features an elderly couple with their dog, a man feeding hay to a cow, and a young couple in a field

    Today marks the 160th anniversary of RABI, which was founded in 1860 by John Mechi, the son of an Italian businessman.

    John Mechi - 160th anniversary

    Mechi’s concern about poverty in the farming community led him to write to The Times to rally support. He received donations of 1,700 guineas and 450 pledges to make annual donations.

    The first meeting of the charity, then known as the Agricultural Benevolent Institution, took place on February 7, 1860. By the end of 1861, the charity had granted £300 to farming people – equivalent to around £36,000 today.

    Over the past 160 years, the support RABI can offer has grown. In 2019, we gave around £2.9m in grants to 1,358 farmers and their families. However, the support we provide is not just financial. Our welfare officers take the time to get to know the people we help and find appropriate solutions to their problems.

    Last year, our officers made more than 1,500 home visits. Not only did they meet with people who had contacted us for the first time, but they also caught up with those we’ve helped before to find out how things are going and what RABI could do to make them more comfortable.

    We helped 128 people claim state benefits. Often, the application forms are long and confusing, and people are not always aware of what they are entitled to. Our welfare officers understand the benefits system and can help people fill out the paperwork.

    Much has changed since 1860, but our core mission remains the same – to support those in the farming community. Call our confidential freephone helpline to find out how we can help you: 0808 281 9490

    160th anniversary - timeline

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    Update

    Our freephone helpline is operating. If you need support during these uncertain times, please don't hesitate to call us on
    0808 281 9490

    For general enquiries, please contact us on 01865 724 931 or info@rabi.org.uk

    Click here for more information.

    Can you support us?

    Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the amount of income we can generate has fallen. We need your support now more than ever. Every donation goes towards helping people in the farming community when they need it most.

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    RABI
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