Fund to aid flood-hit farmers

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is releasing £40,000 from its Emergency Fund to support Borders farmers and businesses affected by the devastating flooding.
Flooding at ColdstreamFlooding at Coldstream
Flooding at Coldstream

The Prince’s Countryside Fund will work alongside The Prince’s Business Emergency Resilience Group (BERG), an initiative of Scottish Business in the Community and Business in the Community to support the communities affected and assist in their recovery longer-term. A major fundraising appeal has also been announced to assist the flood damaged communities to get back on their feet.

£30,000 will be donated to fund the Farming Help Charities, which will benefit farmers affected and provide immediate financial assistance. The Cumbria Community Foundation will receive the remaining £10,000 and will be working with voluntary organisations to provide initial hardship grants of £500 to local people affected by the floods.

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If a farm business is affected by flooding they can contact the Farming Help Hotline on 03000 111 999. If businesses or members of the public would like to make a donation to The Flood Appeal 2015 they can Text PCF to 70300 to donate £3, or donate online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/2015floodappeal or at the Post Office.

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said, “The full impact of the floods has yet to be realised, but many farms have lost livestock drowned in the flood waters, or been affected by landslips, while feed and equipment has been lost. The repairs to bridges, roads and dry stone walls will be an enormous job.

“This is a catastrophic blow to rural businesses which are already hard pressed. Many will be relying on Christmas trade to turn a profit and we need to act swiftly to help them get back on track.”

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