Sheep Farmer 'Over the Moon' After Prince William's £5,000 Donation
A sheep farmer has expressed overwhelming joy after receiving a generous £5,000 donation from the Prince of Wales for his rural mental health fundraising campaign. Sam Stables, a tenant on the Duchy of Cornwall estate and founder of the charity We Are Farming Minds, described the gesture as "absolutely incredible" and said it left him "over the moon."
Royal Support for Mental Health Initiative
Prince William made the donation in support of Mr Stables' 142-mile walking challenge from Ross-on-Wye to London. The walk aims to raise funds for the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, partnering with the Farm Safety Foundation's Mind Your Head campaign. In a personal message posted on Mr Stables' Instagram account, the Prince wrote: "Keep going, Sam! You're doing an amazing job! Thinking of you, W."
The Prince of Wales first met Sam Stables during a January visit to Herefordshire, where they discussed the critical importance of mental health support within the farming community. This engagement highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by agricultural workers and the need for accessible resources.
Charity's Mission and Royal Patronage
We Are Farming Minds, based in Herefordshire, provides comprehensive mental health services to the farming community. These include:
- Fully funded counselling sessions
- A 24/7 support helpline
- Specialised training programmes
- Regular social events
- Information and advice services
The charity focuses on raising awareness about mental health issues in rural areas, where isolation and occupational stress can significantly impact wellbeing. Prince William became the official patron of We Are Farming Minds in March of the previous year, demonstrating his commitment to this vital cause.
Farmer's Emotional Response
In his Instagram post on Wednesday, Sam Stables shared his emotional reaction to the royal donation. He stated: "I've just had some incredible news. I'm just walking out of Brill, and everything in Brill seems to be brill because I've just heard the news that Prince William's kindly donated £5000 to the walk, which is absolutely incredible."
This substantial contribution will directly support the fundraising efforts for young farmers' mental health initiatives. The walking campaign represents a physical manifestation of the charity's mission to promote wellbeing through community engagement and support networks.
The donation underscores the royal family's ongoing dedication to mental health advocacy, particularly within vulnerable sectors like agriculture. It also highlights the personal connection between the Prince of Wales and grassroots initiatives addressing pressing social issues.
