Latest news with #YellowWellies
Edinburgh Live
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian siblings set to take on challenge for charity 'close to their hearts'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A pair of West Lothian siblings are preparing to take on the Edinburgh Marathon wearing wellies to raise money for a charity close to their hearts. Kate Hall, 24, and her brother Will, 21, who live on a farm near East Calder are looking to complete the 26 miles-plus run in the capital, reports The Daily Record. Taking place on Sunday, May 25, the pair are hoping to raise funds for RSABI (Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies). Kate said: 'We enjoy running a bit but nothing serious. It's not something new to us but not something we're used to either. We normally go out running for a couple of hours at a time. 'I did run a marathon two years ago out in New Zealand when I was working on a sheep station. 'We've done a bit of running with the wellies on, Will's done a few park runs in his wellies but we've been training in trainers and not wellies. 'We've been gifted two pair of wellies from Hunter. They go right up to your knees so they will be quite warm if it's a hot day. 'We're not racing or anything like that, we just want to get to the finishing line and get it done. 'Our biggest fear is that it's going to be hot on the day. If the weather's hot we may have to be making some alterations to the wellies to let the air flow in. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. 'We're hoping it's a cold Scottish day with a bit of rain. I've managed to get a hold of other people who have done marathons in wellies before and get some advice from them. They've said make sure we get good comfy wellies and have lots of Vaseline and things.' The two charities are well-known to those who work in the farming industry. RSABI provides practical, emotional and financial support to all people involved in the Scottish agricultural industry, while Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) is a small independent charity that works closely with young farmers and a range of farming organisations to help raise awareness of farm safety. 'We live on a small farm near Kirknewton,' said Kate. 'These are fantastic charities that support a lot of people in Scottish and UK agriculture. The general public might not be too well aware of them but they do absolutely fantastic work in rural communities, who will be familiar with them.' Kate and Will have already brought in over £1000 through an online fundraising page. You can find out more here -
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Siblings from West Lothian farm prepare to give it some welly with a marathon run in the capital
Rain or shine, a sister and brother from West Lothian will be prepared for the weather when they take on the Edinburgh Marathon wearing wellies. Kate Hall, 24, and her brother Will, 21, who live on a farm near East Calder are looking to complete the 26 miles-plus run in the capital wearing yellow wellington boots to raise money for two charities that are close to their hearts. While most of the residents in West Lothian will be hoping for a continuation of the warm weather we've had in recent weeks, Kate and Will won't be too downhearted if there's a spot of rain as they take on the big run next Sunday, May 25. The siblings will be running the marathon to help both RSABI (Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies). Kate said: 'We enjoy running a bit but nothing serious. It's not something new to us but not something we're used to either. We normally go out running for a couple of hours at a time. 'I did run a marathon two years ago out in New Zealand when I was working on a sheep station. 'We've done a bit of running with the wellies on, Will's done a few park runs in his wellies but we've been training in trainers and not wellies. 'We've been gifted two pair of wellies from Hunter. They go right up to your knees so they will be quite warm if it's a hot day. 'We're not racing or anything like that, we just want to get to the finishing line and get it done. 'Our biggest fear is that it's going to be hot on the day. If the weather's hot we may have to be making some alterations to the wellies to let the air flow in. 'We're hoping it's a cold Scottish day with a bit of rain. I've managed to get a hold of other people who have done marathons in wellies before and get some advice from them. They've said make sure we get good comfy wellies and have lots of Vaseline and things.' The two charities that Kate and Will have chosen to help are well-known to those who work in the farming industry. RSABI provides practical, emotional and financial support to all people involved in the Scottish agricultural industry, while Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) is a small independent charity that works closely with young farmers and a range of farming organisations to help raise awareness of farm safety. 'We live on a small farm near Kirknewton,' said Kate. 'These are fantastic charities that support a lot of people in Scottish and UK agriculture. The general public might not be too well aware of them but they do absolutely fantastic work in rural communities, who will be familiar with them.' Kate and Will have already brought in over £1000 through an online fundraising page.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers face another hammering as Labour pulls £10m support fund
Ministers have quietly shelved a mental health support fund for farmers despite warnings that the Government's inheritance tax raid is wreaking havoc on their livelihoods. The £10m Farming Resilience Fund, which offers business advice as well as mental health support, was introduced by the Conservatives in October 2022 and is due to close on March 31. Labour is facing criticism for failing to extend or replace the scheme after triggering a mental health 'crisis' with its inheritance tax raid – dubbed the 'family farm tax'. Since 2020, more than £23.8m has been spent through resilience funds, which were designed to help farmers navigate the effects of Brexit, figures released to The Telegraph show. During the 2023-24 tax year, £10.6m was handed out through the scheme, the highest of any year. The fund covered a host of mental wellbeing initiatives for farmers including awareness webinars in partnership with the farming charity the Farm Safety Foundation, known also as Yellow Wellies. However, a spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed the fund will close as planned in March. It comes after Yellow Wellies said this week it had seen a 55pc leap in demand for counselling services and a 13pc increase in calls to its crisis support centre last year. Victoria Atkins, the shadow minister, said: 'This Labour Government has left farmers in dire straits. 'Their cruel family farms tax is hammering farmers across the country, leaving many at risk of bankruptcy, and some tragically losing their lives, and yet they are offering no help for the consequences of their own decisions. 'With the Government talking big on mental health support, it is shameful they are now considering withdrawing support from farmers who have already suffered so much under Labour.' Edward Morello, the Liberal Democrat MP for West Dorset, told The Telegraph that the fund should be extended to continue support for farmers. Mr Morello added: 'The Farming Resilience Fund is a vital resource for rural businesses to get the support and advice they need in these troubled times. Our farmers have been overlooked for far too long and the family farm tax risks being the final straw. Farmers are vital to food security, to the protection of our natural environment and to the British economy.' Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association, said: 'This is yet another sign that the Government neither understands the challenges facing farmers – nor cares to.' Stephanie Berkeley, of Yellow Wellies, which campaigns for farmers' mental health, said: 'Farming in the UK has weathered many crises over the years. However, this emerging mental health crisis could prove the most devastating.' Farmland was previously exempt from inheritance tax under a policy called agricultural property relief. However, the Chancellor scrapped this relief during her maiden Budget. It means that from April 2026, a tax of 20pc will apply to agricultural assets over £1m. In November, The Telegraph reported that John Charlesworth, 78, had taken his own life, just before the announcement. His son, Jonathan, 46, said the father-of-two ended his life after being 'eaten away' at the prospect of his family losing the £2m estate, which has been owned by the family since 1957, because of the Chancellor's tax increase. It comes after talks between farming representatives and senior Treasury officials to discuss the impact of the tax raid this week turned sour. Tom Bradshaw, the National Farmers' Union president said: 'Disappointment doesn't describe how I feel.' A government spokesman said: 'The Government is tackling the mental health crisis in our farming communities. That is why we are investing billions of pounds and recruiting 8,500 mental health professionals across our NHS. 'More widely, we are investing £5bn into farming over the next two years, the largest amount for sustainable food production in our country's history and are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Farmers hammered by Labour again as it pulls mental health support
Ministers have quietly shelved a mental health support fund for farmers despite warnings that the Government's inheritance tax raid is wreaking havoc on their livelihoods. The £10m Farming Resilience Fund, which offers business advice as well as mental health support, was introduced by the Conservatives in October 2022 and is due to close on March 31. Labour is facing criticism for failing to extend or replace the scheme after triggering a mental health 'crisis' with its inheritance tax raid – dubbed the 'family farm tax'. Since 2020, more than £23.8m has been spent through resilience funds, which were designed to help farmers navigate the effects of Brexit, figures released to The Telegraph show. During the 2023-24 tax year, £10.6m was handed out through the scheme, the highest of any year. The fund covered a host of mental wellbeing initiatives for farmers including awareness webinars in partnership with the farming charity the Farm Safety Foundation, known also as Yellow Wellies. However, a spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed the fund will close as planned in March. It comes after Yellow Wellies said this week it had seen a 55pc leap in demand for counselling services and a 13pc increase in calls to its crisis support centre last year.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Prince of Wales discusses rural isolation with young farmers
The Prince of Wales said it is important to break down any 'taboos and stigmas around mental health' as he met young farmers to discuss rural isolation and loneliness. William was visiting a farm where he took part in a roundtable event hosted by the Farm Safety Foundation, a charity working to address attitudes and behaviours to farm safety and poor mental health in future farmers. During the event on Thursday, at East Scryne Farm near Carnoustie in Angus, he met young farmers from the local area who are part of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs. The prince, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, discussed issues such as what sort of support is available and the impact of social media in helping them stay connected with others. He told them: 'I love the countryside and I love farming as well. And I am conscious that it's an area that needs maybe a little bit of support and understanding that there is access and support out there for young farmers, as well as making sure we are breaking down any taboos and stigmas around mental health. 'Because I think in the farming world it's maybe not talked about as much as in other sectors – and yet we know it exists. 'So I particularly wanted to hear a little bit today about how all of you felt and hear it from the horse's mouth whether we're getting better at talking about it, whether you feel the support is out there, what your recollections and feelings are about rural isolation and mental health.' Viki Johnston, who farms with her family on the Glamis Castle estate and also works on a farm near Forfar, said it was good that the prince is taking an interest. She said: 'He was really enthusiastic about young farmers and what we are doing as an association, and he seem really knowledgeable about the struggles we face.' The 25-year-old said the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs offers a great support network as farming can be isolating, with farmers sometimes spending up to 16 hours a day working alone. Alistair McCarthy, 23, who farms near Glamis, said: 'It was really nice to speak to the prince. He showed a great interest in farming and young people and it was really positive to see there is support from the royal family.' The visit aimed to highlight William's commitment to supporting those in farming communities. Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation (also known as Yellow Wellies), said the charity is a small organisation and that it is wonderful to have the Prince take an interest. She said: 'The young farmers are so enthusiastic and hard working and they should be celebrated so it's lovely to have someone like the Prince come and listen. 'He was very interested in everything that the young farmers wanted to talk about.' During his visit to the strawberry farm, which is run by James and Kate Porter, William was also shown polytunnels that were damaged by Storm Eowyn last month. The family have been growing strawberries there since the 1960s and sell to supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Morrison, Asda and Aldi. The prince also encountered two UV-powered robot vehicles which are used to kill off mildew spores in the polytunnels. Mr Porter said: 'It was great to have him here so we could talk about all the good stuff and the issues that we have as well. It was a very engaging conversation.' In 2023, the Duchy of Cornwall and William launched a new mental health strategy for Duchy tenants designed to prioritise farmers' mental health and de-stigmatise the issue within the sector. After the roundtable, William visited Carnoustie and Monifieth Men's Shed in Carnoustie to hear how the organisation is helping people build a sense of community and learn new skills. The group was founded in 2015 and is run by local volunteers who meet weekly to take part in a range of activities such as woodwork, crafting and gardening. During a tour around the facility William spoke to members and tried his hand at putting together a 'tree climber' – garden ornaments resembling gnomes dotted around the exterior of the building as decorations. Chairman Derek Stewart, 77, said he did not sleep the night beforehand because of his excitement about meeting the Prince of Wales and introducing him to members. 'A lot of the discussion was about mental wellbeing and how we deal with that and how we progress with that,' he said. 'It was such an honour to meet him. 'He's really down to earth, you can sit and talk to him, he puts you at ease as soon as you start talking to him.' Mr Stewart, a former chef, went on to stress his enjoyment of the Men's Shed and the benefits that come from learning new skills from other members. 'Ten years ago I would never have lifted a drill,' he said. 'I used a hammer to fix everything. 'I can fix basically anything now. 'This is what I think is the best thing about the Men's Shed, you learn new skills. 'You're always learning – it's a fantastic thing.'
