UK farming charities, the Addington Fund and Forage Aid have agreed to join forces and build on the invaluable work the two charities undertake in supporting farmers and farm workers experiencing hardship.

Well known for its work in providing housing, disaster relief and young entrants' support within the farming community, the Addington Fund will extend its on-farm disaster relief support under the Forage Aid brand. This assistance will continue the legacy of Forage Aid offering emergency, short-term relief to alleviate or relieve livestock suffering by providing feed and bedding to those in need.

The Addington Fund welcomes Andrew Ward MBE, founder of Forage Aid and Tom Hind, Trustee of Forage Aid as Trustees of Addington to further strengthen the board. Peter Jinman, Chairman of Addington says, "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate, pool resources, combine networks and enhance our offering, which will in turn benefit those in need within our farming communities. With the increasing challenges that farmers and farm-workers face, we're delighted that Addington will be able to offer a wider network of practical support. In addition, I am extremely pleased that Andrew Ward and Tom Hind will join our board of Trustees, and we look forward to continuing the important and valued work of Forage Aid."

Bill Young from Addington said: "The new organisation will allow administration of the two charities to be combined for efficiency, as well as reducing any competition for funds that might arise within the farming and wider rural sectors. In addition, the enlarged Addington team will benefit from an extended network of capable Trustees and supporting stakeholders."

For those in need, the unified organisation offers an easier "one-stop-shop" for practical assistance with a whole range of provisions and support – housing, elderly care, young persons' support scheme, farm worker grants and disaster relief.

Forage Aid's founder and Chair, Andrew Ward MBE added: "It makes perfect sense to combine forces with a charity that complements the work of Forage Aid in supplying emergency feed and bedding. Being the first respondents in extreme weather situations has meant that Forage Aid has already worked with Addington, and also The Farming Community Network, to support their other work in times of acute need. Since Forage Aid was founded in 2013, we have helped 137 farmers with 423 loads, with a total value of £821,000; this work has made us very adept at finding the forage needed quickly, in the quantity and bale sizes needed, and through our network of friendly hauliers, to rapidly get it out to farms."

Lord Curry of Kirkharle, former DEFRA Minister and former Chair of The Prince's Countryside Fund expressed similar sentiments saying, "This merger makes absolute sense. At a time when farming is going through a period of unparalleled change, and help is absolutely necessary, to consolidate and use our resources as efficiently as possible is welcome news."

Further support from the sector was received from Keith Halstead, Director of The Prince's Countryside Fund, who commented, "The Prince's Countryside Fund welcomes this merger between the Addington Fund and Forage Aid to offer a more joined-up approach to their support of farming families at a time when farming needs it the most. It will also benefit the long-term future of both charities."

NOTE

Addington Fund is a national agricultural charity with five remits to help the farming and rural communities.

The charity provides:

• Retirement Homes for retiring farmers.
• Affordable Houses to keep agriculturalists and rural workers in their chosen location.
• Disaster Relief for farms severely impacted by inclement weather and certain animal disease outbreaks. With Forage Aid, the disaster relief will now also include emergency short-term relief to alleviate and relieve animal suffering.
• Farm worker Grants for active or retired farm workers on low incomes.
• Young Entrants Scheme to help and encourage first generation talent into the farming industry.

For more information about the Addington Fund and if you would like to support its work visit www.addingtonfund.org.uk. Telephone: 01926 620135.

Patron: HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO

Registered charity number 1097092