In response to last month’s flooding in the Hawkesbury LGA, Aussie Hay Runners are heading to Richmond this weekend with 16 trucks loaded with 512 bales of premium hay to help struggling farmers.
The bales have been donated from all over Victoria and are valued at $48,640 in total.
Trucks will travel 31,160km in two groups, in what is Aussie Hay Runners’ first trip to the Richmond area.
The first eight trucks will meet in Marulan tomorrow May 3, with the second eight meeting next Monday.
This Saturday and next Tuesday will see the convoys set off on the Hume Highway, then via the M7, M4 and the A9 before arriving into Richmond.
Once unloaded, they will turn around and start make their way back to Victoria.
This will be Aussie Hay Runners’ eleventh run so far in 2024, with others in the works, and it will be their thirtieth run since their inception.
Aussie Hay Runners founder Linda Widdup and her team of volunteers operate with the support of the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens and the Heyfield Lions Club.
Widdup has encouraged any farmers in need of assistance to contact her or co-ordinator Emanuel Degabriele on 0438 296 865.
If you would like to follow the convoy or donate to the cause, you can find details here.
“There are other areas desperate for help and our logistics team are working hard planning and scheduling, there’s just so many farmers needing help in so many areas, so if you can, please make a donation, 100% of your donation will be used to purchase hay” Widdup said.