Twenty-six trucks carrying 832 bales of donated hay, valued at $79,040, will soon head to the Gwydir LGA to provide relief to flood-affected farmers.
Aussie Hay Runners was established in 2019 by Linda Widdup who lives in country Victoria. After seeing the devastating impacts of drought, she wanted to help.
Now in her fifth year with a small group of dedicated volunteers and a large group of drivers, they are proudly supported by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority and Scott Stevens and Heyfield Lions Club.
They are now preparing to head north, in what will be Aussie Hay Runners’ 15th run so far this year, with more to come.
The hay run heroes will travel some 66,000km to deliver the hay, which has come in from all over Victoria, directly to farmers and their families.
The trucks will travel to their meet up point in Tomingley on Friday June 14, before setting off the following day, on Saturday morning.
The convoy will set off via the Newell Highway travelling through Dubbo, Gilgandra, Coonabarabran and Narrabri, arriving at Bingara Showground mid-afternoon. On the Sunday, crews will unload, before hitting the road and heading back home to southern NSW and Victoria.
“There are other areas desperate for help and our logistics team are working hard planning and scheduling,” said Linda. “There’s just so many farmers needing help in so many areas, so if you can, please make a donation – 100 per cent of your donation will be used to purchase hay.”
You can follow the convoy and find donation details on the Aussie Hay Runners Facebook page.