The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is the national farming Charity for England and Wales. A sister charity, RSABI operates in Scotland.   RABI was founded in 1860 to relieve need, hardship or distress in the farming community.   2020 is our 160th anniversary year.

RABI helps to provide for welfare and wellbeing in the farming community through practical support, continuous care, and in special situations, money is given to provide for essential household equipment, and adaptations for those who are disabled.

RABI can help if people have worked full time on the land as a farmer, farm manager or farm worker for at least 10 years.   Our experienced welfare officers will come and talk to you, assess the situation and offer help and advice where they can. Although a lot of the help we provide is financial, we do much more than send cheques in the post.   We strive to build personal relationships and will tailor our support to suit you. If we can’t directly provide what is needed, we’ll do our best to liaise with other organisations and agencies on your behalf.

In Leicestershire we are currently supporting 15 beneficiaries between the ages of 42 and 86.

If you, or someone you know are in need of help please do not suffer in silence, call the RABI Helpline 0808 281 9490.  All calls are strictly confidential

Leicestershire and Rutland 4×4 Response is a registered charity that offers assistance to Local Authorities, Emergency Services and other agencies. We are part of The National 4×4 Response UK Network and have working agreements with:

  • Local authorities
  • Police
  • Fire and rescue
  • NHS
  • AAIB
  • Meals on wheels
  • Private ambulance companies and health care providers

We have trained and insured Responders who are members of our charity who officially carry out Response work, they have the skills needed for off road/severe weather driving, First Aid, navigation and radio communication.

The team are primarily involved providing 4×4 transport in times of severe weather (snow, and floods) & other emergencies in Leicestershire and Rutland. We transport essential personnel or supplies to areas that would be hard or impossible to reach in normal vehicles, and/or in support of local authority centres.

We provide mobile marshalling services for CiCLE classic and CiCLE women (http://cicleclassic.co.uk/). In 2017 were proud to be asked to provide marshalling for the Remembrance day parades in North West Leicestershire.

How do we operate in Leicestershire and Rutland ?
In times of need we operate alongside county and local councils, police & emergency services. Any major event is coordinated by our lead controller and the resilience & Red Cross

During winter our responders are carrying out various tasks in the local community under our organisation.  We provide transport to paramedics, nurses and doctors and staff to get them to their relevant places of work, we also transport doctors and nurses on their patient rounds day or night.  Our responders have regularly been involved in assisting members of the public.

As a group we also attend local and national shows, including emergency services open days as well as running training days throughout the year for our Responders.