Farming charity RABI held its first ever fundraising event in Monmouthshire and more than 200 people attended a quiz night to help raise £3,000 for those in financial hardship.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) helps farming people in financial need throughout England and Wales and gives out close to £2m per year. RABI is currently looking to expand its work in Monmouthshire and the quiz night at Maria’s award-winning mart café at Monmouthshire Livestock Centre on January 21 – in aid of struggling farmers – was a resounding success.

The newly-formed Monmouthshire RABI committee organised the evening, with John Biggs taking on the role of quizmaster. Gwilym Richards, who has been elected chairman of Monmouthshire’s RABI committee, thanked people – including many from the local farming community – for attending.

RABI regional manager for Wales, Linda Jones, said: “I am extremely impressed with the level of enthusiasm and motivation shown by our new Monmouthshire committee. They have worked together as a team and hosted an incredible event to raise much needed funds to support farming families. We are keen to develop our links here and that means making sure that farming people who need our help do not slip through the net.”

Monmouthshire’s fundraising efforts were further boosted by donations of £1,500 from St John’s Monmouthshire Freemasons Lodge, £300 from Coleg Gwent (raised at the Usk college students’ Christmas Fayre) and £75 from Llanvetherine Carol Singers.

Quizzers enjoyed a fabulous buffet provided by Maria and her staff and RABI’s deputy chairman and quiz scorer for the evening, Malcolm Thomas MBE, provided an insight to the charity’s ongoing work, particularly in Wales.

RABI county committee secretary Kate Beavan added: “It was a fabulous evening and to raise nearly £3,000 for the charity at our first event bodes well for the future.”