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Richard Percy, Chairman of NFU Mutual and its Charitable Trust said: "Many farmers are facing massive financial problems as a result of 2012's heavy rains which decimated arable and fodder crops. As the UK's leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual has a charitable trust which provides support for farmers in need.

"I am delighted that we are matching the £150,000 donations made by The Prince's Countryside Fund and The Duke of Westminster to help the worst-affected farms and I hope that others will follow suit."

The £150,000 payment matches donations already made by The Duke of Westminster and The Prince's Countryside Fund itself taking the total donated to the fund so far up to £450,000.

The money will be distributed between a number of farming related charities including the Addington Fund, RABI, RSABI and the Farm Crisis Network to assist farmers and members of rural communities who have been affected by the extreme weather conditions.

NFU Mutual's Charitable Trust was set up in 1998 and focuses heavily on helping to alleviate hardship faced by farmers and the rural community, as well as promoting education relating to farming and agriculture. Over the last 10 years it has made donations in excess of £1 million to support agricultural and rural causes.