THE Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust has started giving out emergency support to farmers whose businesses were devastated by the recent heavy snowfall.
Numerous referrals for financial help have been received by the charity.
A spokesman said: ‘Some emergency support has already been directed to assist with immediate and pressing requests which have been referred to the trust’s directors. Support issued to date has been to help with personal welfare issues of an urgent nature in keeping with the trust’s declared policy, these decisions have been made in the strictest of confidence.’
In the past financial assistance was given in cases of accident, illness and genuine hardship, and not usually as a result of ‘commercially challenging situations’.
He said: ‘The unique circumstances of this extreme weather event mean that policy has had to be set aside.
‘Each case will continue to be assessed individually by our legal and financial advisors who will make a recommendation to the directors.’
He said referrals will be appraised once the full scale of the impact of the extreme weather has been evidenced, and will take into account the assistance DEFA Minister Phil Gawne has indicated he is prepared to bring forward, and the outcome of pending insurance claims.
‘The trust members are acutely aware that much of the inevitable hardship which will arise from the effects of the weather will not materialise for several months.’
He thanked everyone who has helped to raise or who plan to raise funds for the trust, saying: ‘Both the generosity of the Manx community and the originality of the fundraising ideas together with the practical assistance in digging for livestock have provided a huge boost to the morale of many hard pressed farmers.’
Donate online by following the link on the trust’s Facebook page.
