Farming families are set to benefit from this year’s Suffolk Show.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Society (RABI) has been named as the event’s charity for 2013.

So far this year the organisation has paid out £923,000 in grants compared to £697,000 for the same period in 2012.

Around a third of all grants have been going to working farmers, compared with fewer than one in 10 a year ago.

The RABI helps working farmers and farm workers on a short term basis, for example if they are struggling through illness, accident, bereavement, animal disease or family breakdown. It also offers long term support to elderly and disabled people.

Although it does not pay business rates it can pay for relief farm staff, training or help with care home and home-help fees.

Bob Archibald, the farming charity’s regional manager, said: “The RABI is honoured that the (Suffolk Show) president Stephen Cobbold has chosen us as the charity to benefit from fundraising.

“It has been a difficult year for farming and we hope that as many people as possible will support us so that we can help farming families when they need it most.

“The long term prospects for agriculture are good, but not everyone can take advantage of the opportunities.

“We can do a lot more than people think. If you or anyone you know is in need, please encourage them to pick up the phone. We now have a free-phone helpline number - 0300 3037373.”