Rural Support’s Biggest Christmas Hamper Appeal To Date

Rural Support and wind energy company, Simple Power, are  teaming up again this year to launch the local charity’s biggest ever ‘Christmas Hamper Scheme’ aimed at helping farming and rural families in need this festive season.

Following the success of last year’s ‘Christmas Hamper Scheme’ which saw over 15 local agri-food producers join together to deliver over 50 hampers throughout Northern Ireland, Rural Support and Simple Power are aiming to coordinate a bigger and better scheme this Christmas.

The local charity and business are calling on the agricultural community to contribute items for the hampers, with local food and drink producers and suppliers asked to donate suitable items. With this support, the team hope to be able to deliver approximately 25% more hampers to hard-hit families throughout Northern Ireland

Rural Support’s Development Director, Jude McCann, said “Every year, families throughout Northern Ireland’s rural community face a difficult Christmas. Our hamper scheme recognises this and aims to provide a lift for these families that can make all the difference at this time of year. Last year, we were overwhelmed with the response to the initiative, and this would not have been possible without local agri-food producers. Building on the generosity and success of last year, we plan to distribute 25% more hampers across Northern Ireland and are calling on the many successful and vibrant local food producers and suppliers to make a contribution. By kindly donating only 50 - 70 items of your product, you can make a huge difference to a rural family in need this Christmas.”

To get involved in the Rural Support ‘Christmas Hamper Scheme’, in partnership with Simple Power, call  02890 918 420 or email: sarah@jagocommunications.com.  

Rural Support provides support for farmers and rural families through a helpline offering a listening and signposting service. It deals with a range of issues including emotional distress, physical and mental health, farming paperwork and bureaucracy. Rural Support has also recently launched a pilot project focusing on Financial Stress, providing one-to-one financial mentoring aimed at those experiencing debt or financial issues relating to the farm business and where stress is impacting mental health and well- being. Clients will be provided with support to identify options to address their financial business issues.

Rural Support is working with its CSR partner wind energy company, Simple Power, on campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing in rural communities and farm families.  Simple Power works in partnership with farmers across Northern Ireland and is committed to an on-going partnership with the local charity, providing financial support alongside awareness-raising and fundraising activities.

Simple Power Chief Executive, Philip Rainey, commented, “We are delighted to be launching our second Christmas Hamper Scheme in partnership with Rural Support. At Simple Power, we recognise that Christmas can be a very special time for many but it’s important to acknowledge that it can also be a difficult time of year for those in hardship, particularly within the rural community.  Last year, we saw the generosity of local agri-producers that enabled us to deliver hampers throughout Northern Ireland and provide a little Christmas cheer, alongside Rural Support’s very beneficial support service. We couldn’t be more delighted to be coordinating a bigger campaign this year. ”