Need for Feed Disaster Relief has reassured drought-stricken farmers that they’re not alone in their time of struggle, as its team of volunteers prepare to deliver hay to properties across the New England region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“Your community cares about you, and we do too,” Need for Feed Disaster Relief coordinator Graham Cockerel said.
Mr Cockerel counted 14 semi-loads of hay were already being ferried from Tasmania and had been allocated to parts of inner NSW.
The 700 to 800 hay bales will be driven to properties at places like Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Glen Innes and Inverell.
“The drivers should be arriving in town as early as Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning,” Mr Cockerel said.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
The Need for Feed Disaster Relief is a Lions Club campaign that has been operating out of its base in Pakenham, Victoria since 2006.
“We started it as a response to the bushfires in Victoria, and now we’re busier than ever,” Mr Cockerel said.
“Some farmers are down to their last bale of hay. When we turn up, in some cases there’s nothing left at all.”
The campaign relies on generous donations from the public to afford the supplies, which include food carts, fodder, fuel cards and dog food.
Once a month, volunteers can travel more than 1,000 kms in one short weekend just to truck the much-needed supplies to properties.
“You typically have to travel 4 or 5 hours in one direction to pick up hay and then head 1,000 kms in the other direction to deliver the bales,” Mr Cockerel said.
No doubt, the volunteers have their work cut out for them, but Mr Cockerel said they were always looking to expand their services.
“In the Hunter Region, they are starting to deliver water to farms. This water is to be used in households, because some families don’t even have enough water to shower or wash the dishes—in some cases they have to visit their friends or the laundromat to do their laundry.”
Mr Cockerel urged more people to get on board with the grassroots movement and make a small donation. For more information head to www.needforfeed.org or visit the Need for Feed Disaster Relief Facebook page.
