IT was certainly green for go as a night of frog racing in Gloucester generated £2,000 for a charity supporting farmers in need.

Since they launched out into bigger ponds, the Gloucestershire Frog Racers have raised more than £300k for county charities.

Frog racing was the brainchild of Di and Rob Dewbery from Moreton-in-Marsh who were invited by the Gloucestershire R.A.B.I. committee to support their latest event, held at Sir Thomas Rich’s School on March 21 to generate money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I).

More than 100 people attended the evening. Alistair Albutt proved an exceptional auctioneer and while the frogs were a bit croaky he most definitely wasn’t. The first frog sale of the night raised £50 – with the last frog finalist snapped up for £130. It was a shrewd call as he emerged king of the lily pads by beating all hoppers to the champion’s crown.

Jenni Thompson, R.A.B.I Regional Manager for South Central, said: “It was a fun evening, but there was a serious point too, in raising money for farming people in financial difficulties. Many people would be shocked by how many farming families are in real need. In 2014, we gave out almost £2 million to more than 1,300 individuals and families.” R.A.B.I - the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution - is a grant-making charity which helps farming people of all ages if they are in financial difficulty.

To find out more visit www.rabi.org.uk or call R.A.B.I’s confidential helpline on 0300 303 7373.