Prince’s Countryside Fund launches emergency appeal

The Prince’s Countryside Fund has launched an urgent appeal to the public to donate funds to help farmers in financial crisis throughout the UK.

The charity has recently seen a rise in demand for financial help from farmers, many of whom have suffered severe losses due to heavy snowfall.

Around 50,000 farm animals died as a result of last month’s snow, leaving many farmers unable to afford to dispose of carcasses.

The charity has already released its emergency fund of over £500,000 and is now asking the public to donate what they can to replenish the fund.

HRH The Prince of Wales has personally agreed to donate £50,000 from his charitable foundation.

Lord Curry, Trustee of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, explained: “Farmers continue to count the cost of 12 months of terrible weather and the true scale of the crisis is yet to be revealed.”

He added: “Many hill and sheep farmers have suffered terrible lamb yields, as they lost valuable hefted stock and new lambs in the spring blizzards. Worse still, is the Schmallenberg virus, which had some farmers losing up to 80% of their flocks.”