SOME 300 people turned out to raise money for farming people in financial need at a black-tie dinner in the Great Hall at Christ Church College.

The event, organised by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I), was sponsored by businesses from across the country and raised thousands of pounds for the cause. R.A.B.I is based in West Way in Oxford but supports working farmers and members of the agricultural community across the UK.

In 2015 the organisation gave out grants of £1.9 million to 1.340 individuals and families, including £156,000 to working farmers.

Since December 2015 it has also paid out £85,000 to flood victims, mainly in the north of England.

At the event on Tuesday, April 12 guest speaker Chris Green, a farmer and writer known as the 'Cornish Countryman', spoke about the tenacity of country people.

Car dealer Berkshire Bentley also added some glamour to the occasion with the display of a Bentley Continental GT2, the use of which for a weekend was one of several lots in a live auction that raised more than £4,000.

RABI South Central regional manager Jenni Thompson said: "Our brilliant Oxfordshire R.A.B.I committee. They are all volunteers who have carefully planned this evening and deserve great credit for organising such a successful fundraiser in a unique and perfect setting.”