Knitters raise awareness for Scots rural charity Rsabi

A church-based knitting group is producing dozens of woolly hats for farmers this winter, to keep them warm and provide a point of contact to a Scottish agricultural charity.

Members of the congregation at St Mary’s Church, Dunblane, have knitted hats in brightly coloured yarns and have stitched the telephone number of the helpline for the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rsabi) into the undersides.

The hats are being given away to farmers attending AgriScot at the Royal Highland Centre at Edinburgh on Wednesday 13 November.  

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The knitters say the purpose of including Rsabi’s contact details is a reminder to farmers that support is available should they need it – especially during the winter months when loneliness can be more profound.

The charity’s chairman, Jimmy McLean, praised the “heartwarming, and head-warming” work of the knitters.  

“Our thanks go to each and every one of the congregation who have taken time out to knit these special hats,” he said.

“The team at Rsabi are delighted with the initiative – it will really put a smile on people’s faces to see these brightly coloured hats appearing on farms around the country. Well done to all involved – we are sure farmers will wear these with pride.” 

A harvest thanksgiving and appeal at St Mary’s Church has also raised £350 for the charity.  

Rsabi’s helpline is 0808 1234 555, or you can email helpline@rsabi.org.uk or webchat at www.rsabi.org.uk.