The Countryside Agency is providing £1.5 million of match funding to three charities who are working to help relieve distress caused by the foot and mouth outbreak amongst rural communities.
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More Funds to Relieve Rural Distress - 4 May 2001

Three charities will receive match funding of almost £1.5m from the Countryside Agency to help them as they deal with the problems rural people are facing as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The ARC-Addington Fund will receive initial match funding of £1m, the Rural Stress Information Network will receive £332,000 and the Cumbrian Community Foundation will receive £91,843. This is in addition to the payment of £52,000 already made to the Hadfield Trust.

Countryside Agency director Margaret Clark said: "Rural people and businesses across the country have been hit very hard by the impact of foot and mouth disease on themselves, their families and their communities. Many voluntary organisations are doing a tremendous job in helping to relieve the distress caused and the public have contributed generously towards their work. I am pleased that we are able to match fund these contributions as part of the government's commitment to do so, this will make a real difference in helping rural people at this very difficult time."

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Notes to editors

The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.

 

  • The match funding scheme, announced on the 28 March 2001, will match donations from the public to voluntary organisations to aid people suffering hardship as a result of the foot and mouth crisis.
  • A minimum of £25,000 in public donations is needed to be eligible for the scheme.
  • The scheme will not match funds raised from corporate or commercial donations or from the public sector, nor may the funds be used for any other purpose.  

Organisations wanting to apply for match funding should contact Stuart Mead at the Countryside Agency on 020 7340 2922

The ARC-Addington Fund was set up for the relief of poverty suffered by those in the agricultural and kindred industries in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (Please note, this initial payment is only being given for funds spent in England)

Contact - Ian Bell 0247 685 8370

The Rural Stress Information Network has three aims:

  • To be an authoritative source of information and advice concerning initiatives intended to help alleviate rural stress.
  • To encourage the development of practical solutions which help people living in rural areas who feel distressed or suicidal.
  • To be a source of information about the causes and extent of rural stress.  
Contact - Caroline Davis 02476 412 916

The Cumbrian Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of the community life of the people in Cumbria and in particular of those in special need by reason of disability, age, financial or other disadvantage.

Contact - Jane Ryall 01900 325801