The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution can now offer more support to farmers in need thanks to Barclays colleagues from Truro and Exeter.

Bank employees raised £104 to support RABI by organising mince pies, mulled wine and other treats to be handed out at Exeter and Truro Livestock markets in December.

The donation was boosted to £208 by Barclays, which supports employee fundraising and matches money raised pound for pound as part of its Community Investment programme.

Peter Horner, senior Barclays agricultural manager, said: “We’re delighted with the amount raised and would like to thank our customers and everyone who helped make this happen.

“We wanted to fundraise for RABI because of the great support they give to the local farming community. “ Jenni Thompson, Devon and Cornwall regional manager from RABI, said the institution was “very grateful” to the Barclays staff for their “fantastic efforts and support.”

She added: “Thanks to the Barclays agricultural teams in Exeter and Truro the funding will now help enable us to support more farmers and their families in the region and beyond. The money raised really will make a big difference to people’s lives.”