R.A.B.I is part of a new collaborative initiative – the Cumbria Farm Flood Action Group – which has been formed to provide ongoing support to those farmers still reeling from the after-effects of Storm Desmond.

The Cumbria Farm Flood Action Group also comprises the Farming Community Network, The Farmer Network, Cumbria Commoners, NFU, Foundation for Common Land, Forage Aid, Cumbria Agricultural Chaplaincy, Addington Fund, Westmorland Agricultural Society and Mitchells Auction.

Farmers in Cumbria needing financial help can call R.A.B.I confidentially on the Freephone helpline 0808 281 9490.

R.A.B.I’s regional officers and welfare staff are working hard in the region and today, Monday December 21, there will be a surgery at Borderway Mart, Carlisle from around 10am until noon where farmers can discuss their needs and concerns with R.A.B.I staff. Regional manager for the North West, Georgina Lamb, spoke on Radio 4s Farming Today programme this morning, explaining the decision ‘ to go to where the farmers are’.

She said: “We need to be out in front of farmers, taking the support and help to them. We are conscious there’s another Cumbrian winter to get through and we can’t see things getting better anytime soon.”