The Countryside Agency has launched a scheme which will implement the government's commitment to match fund donations made by the public to help alleviate distress rural people are suffering due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
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Funding Boost for those Hit Hardest by Foot & Mouth - 28 March 2001

The Countryside Agency launched today (28 March 2001) a scheme for implementing the government's commitment to match, £ for £, donations made by the public to relevant voluntary organisations working to alleviate the distress rural people are suffering due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Margaret Clark, a director of the Countryside Agency, said: "Voluntary organisations are playing a key role in helping people to cope with the effects of foot and mouth disease on them and their families. The public are showing their concern through donations to the organisations helping people who are suffering emotionally and financially at this difficult time. It is important that the match funding promised by government reaches those organisations as quickly as possible. 

"We are inviting national organisations across England and significant regional bodies in the counties most severely affected (Devon & Cumbria) who are receiving donations to relieve rural distress, to apply to us for match funding on the donations they and their networks have received since 1st March. The scheme will be as administratively simple as possible so that we can help them ensure that their support gets straight to those who need it most."

Voluntary organisations needing further information about the scheme or wishing to receive an application form and eligibility criteria should contact Helen Thomson on 020 7340 2900 or email: helen.thomson@countryside.gov.uk 

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Notes to editors

If members of the press require further information please contact Julia Cropley or Nigel Ellway on 020 7340 2909/7

  • Eligible uses of the match funding include: the relief of hardship for individuals and families, advice, counselling and other support.
  • A minimum of £25,000 in public donations to an organisation is needed to be eligible for match funding and the scheme will match funds donated up to 30 June 2001.
  • Voluntary organisations taking donations to help alleviate rural distress due to foot and mouth disease include: Citizens Advice Bureaux, Samaritans, Rural Stress Information Network, Arthur Rank Centre - Addington Fund, Farm Crisis Network, Village Retail Services Association (ViRSA), Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute and Hospitality Action.
  • The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside. www.countryside.gov.uk