Simple Power chief executive, Philip Rainey, said: “We are delighted to launch this Christmas Hamper Scheme in partnership with Rural Support. We’re already supporting the rural economy by helping farmers and landowners to embrace wind energy, boosting farm incomes and rural communities. However we realise that Christmas can be a very difficult time of year for those in hardship, particularly within the rural community. We hope the Hampers will go some way towards providing a little Christmas cheer, alongside Rural Support’s very beneficial support service.”
Rural Support’s development director, Jude McCann, added: “Every year, families throughout Northern Ireland’s rural community face a difficult Christmas. Our hamper appeal aims to provide a little lift for these families that can make all the difference at this time of year. We plan to distribute in the region of 50 hampers across Northern Ireland and are calling on the many successful and vibrant local food producer and suppliers here to make a contribution. By kindly donating only 50 items of your product, you can make a huge difference to a rural family in need this Christmas.”
Rural Support provides support for farmers and rural families through a helpline offering a listening and signposting service. It deals with a range of issues including emotional distress, suicide risk, physical and mental health, farming paperwork and bureaucracy.