The past year has been particularly challenging for the farming community. Adverse weather, animal disease and rising feed prices have all contributed to the mix, making life very tough. R.A.B.I. has seen a dramatic rise in calls to its helpline - more than double last year’s number. In the first quarter of 2013 the charity has paid out two-thirds more in emergency payments than in the same period in 2012. There has also been a change to those helped; most people being assisted this year are working farmers as opposed to being retired.

Paul Burrows, Chief Executive of R.A.B.I. said: “R.A.B.I. would like to thank Ceva for their generous support during what has been and looks set to continue to be a very difficult time for much of the farming community. These much-needed funds will help us continue to support farmers and farming families in financial difficulty.”

Ceva’s Managing Director Alan Doyle continued: “R.A.B.I. is an essential lifeline for those in the farming industry who have been affected by economic hardship and the recent bad weather. We at Ceva are proud to be able to support R.A.B.I. in this way.”