In response to bush fires in late November last year, Aussie Hay Runners have announced another hay run – this time to the Walgett Shire in NSW.
The group of volunteers are also gearing up for their Australia Day hay run, heading to the Clarence Valley Shire.
The Walgett Shire run will see 27 trucks travelling a total of 60,100 km, carrying 864 bales of hay valued at $82,080, directly helping farmers and their families.
Trucks will travel to their meetup point of West Wyalong on Thursday February 1.
The following morning, the convoy will set off via the Newell Highway, travelling through Parkes, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gulargambone and Coonamble and arriving into Walgett by late afternoon.
Saturday will be spent doing farm drops before the trucks make their way back to Victoria.
On the Clarence Valley Shire run this weekend, 67 trucks will travel 98,860km, carrying 2,144 premium bales of hay worth $203,680 total, with hay donations coming from all over Victoria.
Trucks will travel to their meetup point of Marulan on Thursday January 25, and on Friday 26, the convoy of trucks will set off via the Hume Highway, travelling through Sydney via the M7 and M2 around 9:30am, on to the M1 with a rest stop at Bulahdelah around midday.
They’ll then continue via the M1, arriving in Grafton by late afternoon. Saturday will be spent unloading with allocations to farmers coordinated by volunteer Debrah Novack.
“67 fully laden trucks carrying 2,144 bales of golden hay will roll into Grafton, Friday 26th January, so our trucks will be on the road on Australia Day and we can’t think of a better way to spend it,” Aussie Hay Runners said.
Linda Widdup and her small team of volunteers are the driving force behind Aussie Hay Runners, with support from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens and the Heyfield Lions Club, Ray Akers of Gippsland Hay Relief.
Widdup, who lives in regional Victoria, established Aussie Hay Runners in 2009.
Watching the impact of the devastating effects of the drought, she wanted to help in some small way.
Widdup said there are many other areas desperate for the organisation’s help, and the logistics team are working hard planning and scheduling.
“If you can, please make a donation, 100% of your donation will be used to purchase hay” she said.
You can follow the convoy and find donation details on their Facebook page.