In response to bush fires in October 2023, Aussie Hay Runners (AHR) are heading to the Clarence Valley with 67 trucks loaded with 2,144 bales of premium hay to assist our struggling farmers!
With the continued support of the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens and the Heyfield Lions Club, Ray Akers of Gippsland Hay Relief, local Debrah Novak, Linda Widdup and her small team of volunteers and AHR’s large team of drivers are gearing up for their 3rd run into the Clarence Valley. This run will see 67 trucks travelling a total of 98,860kms, carrying 2,144 bales of hay valued at $203,680, directly helping 201 farmers, their families and in turn, their communities recover from bush fires. This run is the second run of the many planned for 2024 and overall will be their 21st run with hay donations coming from all over Victoria.
Trucks will travel to their meetup point of Marulan on Thursday January 25 and on Friday morning the convoy of trucks will set off 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.
Saturday will be spent unloading with allocations to farmers coordinated by our on-ground volunteer Debrah Novak. So, if you are a farmer in the Clarence Valley LGA and have been fire affected, head to their Facebook page to see how to apply for assistance. AHR are extremely proud to help our farmers “it’s not a handout – it’s a hand up” as Linda always says.
AHR are acutely aware of other areas desperate for help and the logistics team are working hard on the schedule for 2024 “there are just so many farmers desperately needing our help in so many areas, so if you can, please make a donation of hay, 100% of your donation will be used to purchase hay,” said Linda. You can follow the convoy and find donation details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aussiehayrunners And, if you see them on the road, make sure to show your support with a toot and a wave.
About Aussie Hay Runners
Aussie Hay Runners was established in 2019 by Linda Widdup who lives in country Victoria, watching the impact of the devastating effects of the drought, she wanted to help in some small way. 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, Scott Stevens and Heyfield Lions Club and Ray Akers of Gippsland Hay Relief.