A COUPLE from Malmesbury are serving up their legendary charity breakfast once again this year.

Melanie and Jeremy Newman will be opening the doors of their farm in Lea to serve cooked breakfasts to locals on February 28.

The pair own Winkworth Farm and will be sizzling up the local produce to raise money for farming charity Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

The charity’s Farmhouse Breakfast campaign aims to promote everything that’s good about British produce and make winter a little warmer for farming families going through hardship.

Last winter, RABI more than 1,250 breakfasts were served up across 25 campaign events, generating more than £16,000 for farming people in financial need.

Around £2m is given out in grants every year by the charity across England and Wales, with Wiltshire farmers receiving £47,000 in 2016.

Melanie said RABI was a “worthy cause”.

“We try and support it as it goes back into the industry,” she said.

“There is a huge need for it now, some of the stories are heart-rending.

“They are great charity and do a lot of good work for people.”

Jenni Thompson, RABI regional manager for the South Central region, said: “Melanie and Jeremy are loyal supporters of RABI and the Farmhouse Breakfast event has raised thousands of pounds and gets bigger and better each year.

“Last year, more than 80 people came to eat [at the Newmans’], helping to raise more than £1,100. This year I anticipate the event to be even bigger.”

Suzy Deeley, RABI corporate development manager, has encouraged people to get involved with the campaign.

She said: “People can support our Farmhouse Breakfast campaign by hosting a breakfast event for friends, family or work colleagues and encouraging guests to make a donation to us.

“It’s a shocking truth, but even in today’s farming world people can sometimes struggle to feed themselves.

“In 2015, R.A.B.I gave out more than £14,000 worth of food vouchers to around 40 families and those struggling to put food on their tables are often the elderly, sick, disabled or retired.

“Many of these people have given their lives to the farming industry but simply fallen on hard times.

“Farming can be a volatile business and anyone can get into difficulty through no fault of their own.

“Things such as illness, accidents and animal disease can strike at any time.”

To join the Newmans for their charity breakfast at Winkworth Farm on February 28, contact Jenni Thompson by calling 07919 47851 or emailing jenni.thompson@rabi.org.uk

To find out more about the Farmhouse Breakfast campaign, visit rabi.org.uk or call 01865 724931.