Aussie Hay Runners (AHR) are providing more relief to farmers in the Clarence Valley LGA in response to assistance requests from those still struggling from flooding events.
With support from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens and the Heyfield Lions Club, Linda Widdup and her small team of volunteers and AHR’s large team of drivers, they’ve been flat out getting prepared and collecting hay donations from all over Victoria.
The 54 trucks are travelling in two runs; 24 trucks travelled up to Grafton last Friday, 30th August, and the remaining 30 trucks will convoy to Grafton on Saturday, 21st September. The trucks will travel a combined total of 156,600kms to transport 1,728 bales of donated hay valued at a massive $164,160. These bales will directly help our farmers, their families and, in turn, their communities. As they are responding to requests for assistance, some hay has already been allocated; however, if you need assistance and have not already reached out, please do so by contacting our on-ground coordinator, Sally Power, on 0419 403 469.
These remaining 30 trucks will travel to their meet up in Marulan on Friday 20th September with the convoy setting off the following morning via the Hume Highway, travelling through Sydney via the M7 and M2 around 9:30am, onto the M1 with a rest stop at Bulahdelah around midday. They’ll then continue via the M1 arriving in Grafton by late afternoon and impressively, this will be their 22nd run for this year!
AHR are extremely proud to help farmers “it’s not a hand out – it’s a hand up” Linda always says. “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” said Linda.