Thousands of dollars’ worth of fodder, food hampers and cash has been donated to help local farmers suffering through the drought.
Hawkesbury District Drought Relief was set up at Hawkesbury Showground over August 18 and 19 to collect donations to give local farmers a helping hand, and organiser Graham Williams said the public’s response had been “terrific”.
“There was about $6,000 worth of fodder donated,” Mr Williams said. “There were about six farmers we sent loads of feed to, so that fed about 450 head of stock combined.
“There would also at least a couple of thousand dollars’ worth of [food hampers] donated as well, and we got about $250 worth of cash collected by the Lions Club.”
Extremely windy weather on Sunday had not worked against the campaign, he said.
“In a way the wind was good, it gave everyone an idea of what it’s like in amongst it,” Mr Williams said. “The weather at the showground was dreadful, but it gave people a taste of what the farmers and animals are out in everyday.”
Most of the donations had been distributed by Sunday night, and Mr Williams thanked all the individuals and local businesses that had so generously donated through the campaign.
“One lady turned up with about four shopping trolleys full and had it all boxed up. It was unbelievable, her and her son did it,” he said. “They didn’t want to give us their name or be in a photo.
“Local feed suppliers gave us stock feed and delivered in their own time.”
Local farmers who received donations had been extremely grateful, as times had been very tough.
“One of the families made a great video [of their donations],” he said. “They have about 150 head on their farm that they are trying to keep going at St Albans.
“Another lady said the family had been farming for 100 years and it was the first time they have had any help from anyone.”