A fantastic sum of over £65,000 has been raised for agricultural charity RSABI thanks to the generosity of people supporting its 125th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner.
Around 150 people involved in the agricultural industry attended the Gogarburn event, which was kindly sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland. Attendees included His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch, RSABI Honorary President, and Jim McLaren MBE who proposed a toast to RSABI.
As well as ticket sales, funds were raised by an auction with outstanding lots including a sporting lot graciously gifted by Her Majesty the Late Queen before her sad passing and a Highland heifer sculpture hand-made from agricultural scrap metal by ArtFe specially for the event.
A prize for Heads and Tails was gifted by The Hideaway Experience, with a selection of excellent items to win in the prize draw and Edinburgh Gin, courtesy of Ian Macleod Distillers.
Two very generous donations were made towards the overall total from The Wiseman Family Charitable Fund, who donated £12,500, and the late Sir Ian Grant, who contributed £5,000 towards the evening shortly before he passed away.
RSABI’s Chief Executive Carol McLaren extended heartfelt thanks to all who attended or supported including those who donated items and experiences for the auction and prize draw.
“We had a very memorable evening as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations and it was great to see everyone together enjoying the dinner which had Scotch Lamb as the centrepiece.
“Our sincere thanks go to all those who contributed in different ways to our fundraising total. Special thanks to Jim McLaren, MBE, Chair of NFU Mutual who gave an excellent toast to RSABI and our Honorary President, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, who joined us and donated a very generous auction lot.
“We’re coming into a difficult winter, and funds raised will help us to provide much-needed emotional, practical and financial support to people in the Scottish agricultural industry.”
The evening also saw the presentation of the inaugural Richard Huxtable Award, in memory of former RSABI Case Officer in the northeast who sadly passed away in 2020. The award will be presented annually to a young person for their outstanding support of RSABI, whether through fundraising, volunteering or raising awareness of the charity’s services.
Rachel Biggar, who raised an enormous sum of £30,000 with her 100km in a month challenge, was the recipient of the inaugural award. Ms Biggar ran 100km in Greece, where she currently resides, in Summer 2021 in memory of her father Dumfries & Galloway farmer Donald Biggar OBE who was a great support of RSABI.
Rachel was unable to travel from Greece for the event and the award was received on her behalf by her mother Emma and presented by Mr Huxtable’s wife Sharon.