Farmers’ Lotto Helps Fund RSABI’s Vital Emotional Support Calls

RSABI is celebrating six months of its successful fundraising initiative, The Farmers’ Lotto, which is helping to fund the charity’s outbound emotional support calls, a vital service that costs around £40,000 a year to deliver, with the amount continuing to grow.

The proactive ‘friendship’ calls play a key role in RSABI’s work which helps to tackle loneliness and provide emotional support to people within Scotland’s farming community who may be feeling isolated or disconnected. Many of those receiving regular calls are older people living alone, who value the friendly voice and connection that RSABI provides.

Since launching earlier this year, The Farmers’ Lotto has seen consistent weekly participation, with over 400 players and an average of 900 tickets played each week. So far, over 40 lucky winners have cashed in.

Six months on, the initiative continues to provide both a fun way for individuals to support the charity and a vital funding stream for RSABI’s support services, which include emotional, practical and financial help for people in Scottish agriculture.

Pauline Macmillan, Head of Fundraising at RSABI, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported The Farmers’ Lotto over the past six months. Thanks to our loyal players, the funds raised are helping to cover the cost of our outbound emotional support calls which reach hundreds of people every year and make a real difference in tackling loneliness. These calls offer a listening ear and help us stay connected with those who may be struggling, so every Lotto ticket sold helps us keep those conversations going.”

A relation of one call recipient praised the vital services the charity provides, stating that it’s made a huge difference to their loved one’s mental health and wellbeing: “When he [family member] came off the phone it was like a weight had been lifted. Just knowing that he’s not the only one who has experienced this helps massively. There’s still a way to go, but it was great to see him feeling more positive.”

A direct call recipient who has been supported by the service said: “Thank you to RSABI for all the support over last couple of years, I was struggling so badly but your help kept me managing to put one foot in front of the other and I will be eternally grateful.”

To celebrate the six-month milestone and the success of the initiative so far, RSABI will be giving away a £100 Amazon voucher and first pick of its brand-new RSABI merchandise to one lucky Farmers’ Lotto player in the Friday 31st October draw.

The Farmers’ Lotto gives players the chance to win up to £25,000 every week for just £1 per ticket, with additional prizes of £2,000, £250, and £25.

The Lotto is delivered in partnership with leading lottery operator Gatherwell, part of Jumbo Interactive, and continues to grow in popularity as more people join to support RSABI’s work.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.farmerslotto.co.uk. Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours before the draw, and players can also set up a direct debit for hassle-free weekly entries.

RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support, including counselling services, to people in Scottish agriculture. Support is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling  0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through the confidential webchat service at www.rsabi.org.uk.

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