A MAJOR fund-raising campaign to help rural businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth epidemic has reached a staggering £55,000.

The Evening News teamed up with the Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS) to launch the Stress in the Countryside Appeal last April.

The money raised has come through donations made using a coupon in the Evening News, as well as from activities that included sponsored bungee jumps and dinner parties.

The campaign was meant to end in August, but the scale of the epidemic and the generosity of the public have kept it going until now.

Every penny is being used to benefit rural businesses, including auctioneers, abattoir workers, hauliers, vets and agricultural colleges.

The distribution is being undertaken by Rural Stress Networks operating in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and the Rural Stress Network and Farming Friends in Gloucestershire.

By the end of the first week, £3,000 had been raised. TCAS chief executive Chris Milne said the generosity of those unaffected by the outbreak had been amazing.

"So many individuals and businesses have, in one way or another, been affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis,'' he said.

"Even those who have been touched by the epidemic, or have felt its knock-on effects, have contributed to help those suffering to a greater degree.

"That rural communities should pull together at such a traumatic time is hopefully of some comfort to those who have been worst hit, and for whom the crisis continues."

Canon John Willis, chairman of the Rural Stress Support Network in Worcestershire, said: We're absolutely delighted with the money raised to help the farming community across the three-counties," he said.

"The Christmas period was very different and difficult for farmers and many are still facing extreme problems.

"Thanks to the money raised, we've been able to help in several cases because of the public's generosity."