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Green Wellie Day draws closer

Green Wellie Day is drawing closer for people living in the Westcountry, as they join forces to help farmers braving the foot and mouth epidemic.

The event has been put together by the Western Morning News to provide emergency funds for those hardest hit.

Money has poured in to the fund with almost £54,000 raised in just a few days, comprising £27,000 of pledges from readers and ‘matched-funding’ of the same amount from the Government.

Leading businesses in the area have donated four-figure sums and politicians, including the Leader of the Opposition William Hague, while he was on a fact-finding tour of farms in Devon.

Lib Dem Paul Tyler, worried about the effect on people’s lives, told the House of Commons: “The Western Morning News has felt it necessary to launch its own special relief fund to help those families.

“They are going to organise Green Wellie Day on March 30 and I think that many of us will support that.

“But it should not be left to the media to take these steps. Surely the national Welfare state system should be providing a safety net for these families?”

The Leader of the House, Margaret Beckett, assured him that support was not being left to the media.

Editor Barrie Williams praised the support of people in the South West and their “amazing” response to the appeal.

He said: “We knew before we launched Green Wellie Day that there was enormous support and sympathy here in the Westcountry for farmers and rural businesses hit by the foot and mouth crisis.

“But we could not have predicted just what an overwhelming and positive response we would have on the very first day of our fundraising campaign. Our phones were red hot from first thing; local television and radio were helping us by sharing details with their viewers and listeners; and Westcountry businesses were in constant touch, offering their support and pledging donations.”

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