RABI Volunteer Newsletter – September 2025
Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.
Local Meetings: A chance to share your view
Following our recent webinar, we encourage all committee members to book a place at one of our upcoming local in-person meetings.
These meetings are a great opportunity to hear more about our plans to reach more farming people, discuss the recent developments and plan together for the future. We want to listen and involve you in these next steps.
To secure your place at one of the upcoming meetings, please click on the link below and select the appropriate date and location – responses by October 5th. If you have any questions, please email events@rabi.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you at one of these meetings soon.
Your Supporter Care Team
We are pleased to introduce a new contact email for committee-related support. Please direct queries to: committees@rabi.org.uk.
You will still be supported by familiar faces, Verenique (V) and Zoe H, who will ensure your requests reach the right person quickly so we can provide the best possible support.
If you happen to email the volunteering@rabi.org.uk address by mistake, don’t worry, we’ll redirect your message and make sure you get the help you need.
We will be providing further updates for volunteers ahead of the launch next year. Volunteers will play an important role in raising awareness and supporting engagement at events such as agricultural shows.
Borderline Challenge Siblings Raise Over £17,000 for RABI
The Borderline Challenge – originally planned as a cycle across Ireland, a swim of the North Channel, a cycle through Scotland and a run along Hadrian’s Wall – had to adapt when poor sea conditions forced the cancellation of the swim. Undeterred, Hugh and Alex pressed on, completing an incredible 415km of cycling and 120km of running, before staging a replacement 35km team swim in Ullswater Lake on Saturday 20 September. Joined by their friends and supporters, the group swam together to cover a similar distance to the original relay plan.
Growing up in a farming family within a close-knit agricultural community, the siblings have seen first-hand the pressures of farming life. They tragically lost an uncle to suicide when they were young, an experience that left a lasting impact on their family. Hugh explained that “the passing of my uncle has really been one of the motivators for us doing this challenge. Farming has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession, and too often people feel they have to suffer in silence. If our efforts can change that belief even a little, then it’s been worthwhile.”
RABI’s Head of Fundraising, Paul Pirie, praised their achievement, “We are so proud and grateful to them for raising over £17,000, which will enable hundreds of farming people to access our support services.”
Date for Committee Chairs’ Diaries – AGM: Tuesday 21 October
A reminder that the AGM will take place on Tuesday 21 October. We encourage Chairs to attend and represent their committees. Invitations have already been sent by email, please RSVP if you have not yet done so.
If you are a Committee Chair and have not received your invitation, please contact AGM2025@rabi.org.uk.
Thank you to all our Chairs for your ongoing support and leadership of RABI committees.
The meeting will include a talk from inspiring brother and sister duo, Hugh and Alex Addison from Cumbria, who recently completed the remarkable Borderline Challenge, raising over £17,000 to support RABI’s work with the farming community.
Farmers Guardian Calendar Update
RABI are pleased to share a sneak preview of our 2026 Calendar in partnership with Farmers Guardian. This year’s calendar theme is ‘Our Farming Life’. Participants were invited to submit any number of photographs taken within the past 18 months that capture the dedication, resilience and everyday moments of farming people, whether in the tractor cab, the calving pen or at a county show.
It will be available to purchase on our website from October. To order Calendars to sell please contact committees@rabi.org.uk.
We Value Your Feedback
We are always looking to improve how we work together. If you have suggestions or ideas, please email: volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
RABI Volunteer Newsletter – September 2025
Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.
Local Meetings: A chance to share your view
Following our recent webinar, we encourage all committee members to book a place at one of our upcoming local in-person meetings.
These meetings are a great opportunity to hear more about our plans to reach more farming people, discuss the recent developments and plan together for the future. We want to listen and involve you in these next steps.
To secure your place at one of the upcoming meetings, please click on the link below and select the appropriate date and location – responses by October 5th. If you have any questions, please email events@rabi.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you at one of these meetings soon.
Your Supporter Care Team
We are pleased to introduce a new contact email for committee-related support. Please direct queries to: committees@rabi.org.uk.
You will still be supported by familiar faces, Verenique (V) and Zoe H, who will ensure your requests reach the right person quickly so we can provide the best possible support.
If you happen to email the volunteering@rabi.org.uk address by mistake, don’t worry, we’ll redirect your message and make sure you get the help you need.
We will be providing further updates for volunteers ahead of the launch next year. Volunteers will play an important role in raising awareness and supporting engagement at events such as agricultural shows.
Borderline Challenge Siblings Raise Over £17,000 for RABI
The Borderline Challenge – originally planned as a cycle across Ireland, a swim of the North Channel, a cycle through Scotland and a run along Hadrian’s Wall – had to adapt when poor sea conditions forced the cancellation of the swim. Undeterred, Hugh and Alex pressed on, completing an incredible 415km of cycling and 120km of running, before staging a replacement 35km team swim in Ullswater Lake on Saturday 20 September. Joined by their friends and supporters, the group swam together to cover a similar distance to the original relay plan.
Growing up in a farming family within a close-knit agricultural community, the siblings have seen first-hand the pressures of farming life. They tragically lost an uncle to suicide when they were young, an experience that left a lasting impact on their family. Hugh explained that “the passing of my uncle has really been one of the motivators for us doing this challenge. Farming has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession, and too often people feel they have to suffer in silence. If our efforts can change that belief even a little, then it’s been worthwhile.”
RABI’s Head of Fundraising, Paul Pirie, praised their achievement, “We are so proud and grateful to them for raising over £17,000, which will enable hundreds of farming people to access our support services.”
Date for Committee Chairs’ Diaries – AGM: Tuesday 21 October
A reminder that the AGM will take place on Tuesday 21 October. We encourage Chairs to attend and represent their committees. Invitations have already been sent by email, please RSVP if you have not yet done so.
If you are a Committee Chair and have not received your invitation, please contact AGM2025@rabi.org.uk.
Thank you to all our Chairs for your ongoing support and leadership of RABI committees.
The meeting will include a talk from inspiring brother and sister duo, Hugh and Alex Addison from Cumbria, who recently completed the remarkable Borderline Challenge, raising over £17,000 to support RABI’s work with the farming community.
Farmers Guardian Calendar Update
RABI are pleased to share a sneak preview of our 2026 Calendar in partnership with Farmers Guardian. This year’s calendar theme is ‘Our Farming Life’. Participants were invited to submit any number of photographs taken within the past 18 months that capture the dedication, resilience and everyday moments of farming people, whether in the tractor cab, the calving pen or at a county show.
It will be available to purchase on our website from October. To order Calendars to sell please contact committees@rabi.org.uk.
We Value Your Feedback
We are always looking to improve how we work together. If you have suggestions or ideas, please email: volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
