In response to the devastating fires across Victoria, Aussie Hay Runners (AHR) has organised yet another hay run to deliver relief to fire-impacted Victorian farmers this weekend.
Founded by Linda Widdup in 2019, AHR is led by a small team of volunteers, who work together with their extensive network of truck drivers to provide farmers with immediate relief.
As Victoria’s bushfire emergency took hold last week, AHR had trucks on the road that same day. Over the past week, 28 semis have travelled 19,448km, delivering 952 bales of donated hay valued at $114,240 to farmers in Alexandra, Goomalibee, Harcourt, Katamatite, Longwood, Murrindindi and Ruffy.
Tomorrow, Saturday January 17, AHR’s “Cute Ute Crew” – a team of over 100 utes and trailers who have banded together to lend a helping hand – will deliver fodder to areas that need it most.
Following a hearty breakfast supplied by the Healesville Lions Club, a team of semis, flat beds and the Cute Ute Crew will leave Seville at 11am.
They will then travel in convoy to Longwood, expected to arrive at about 1:30pm. They’ll be greeted by the Euroa Lions Club who have offered to provide the crew with lunch.
As AHR explained, the Cute Ute Crew will enable the hay to be transported to places where the semis are not yet able to access. They’ll be delivering from AHR depots to farmers who have lost vehicles and machinery so can’t come to collect the hay themselves.
“We’ve been blown away by the response of everyone wanting to jump on board and help. True blue Aussies indeed, just amazing,” AHR said.
For those wanting to cheer them on from the side of the road, they’ll depart from Seville at 11am via the Warburton Highway; then travel the Maroondah and Melba Highways. From Yea, they’ll take the Goulburn Valley Highway towards Seymour. Then they’ll get onto the Hume Freeway to Longwood and surrounds.
You can also track the team by clicking here.