Farmers in western NSW will receive hay and hampers in the coming weeks after nearly $3 million was raised to directly aid those affected by the drought.

Rural Aid’s successful Buy a Bale Hay Mate charity concert at Tamworth in October featured the likes of music legends John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite, Guy Sebastian, Adam Harvey and more, come together to support farmers in need.

So far, farmers in Walgett, Narromine and more have received relief, with future hay drops planned for Brewarrina and Coonamble.

The hay has been sourced from South Australia and Western Australia, with farmers to receive approximately eight to 10 bales at a time.

Rural Aid founder Charles Alder said exact number will vary as the organisation are still registering farmers to distribute the hay to.

“Over the course of the following months we are distributing the $2.8 million raised from the Tamworth concert, included in that figure there are $200,000 dollars’ worth of gift cards, another $500,000 of this figure is also scheduled to be distributed in January in North Western NSW,” he said.

Mr Alder was humbled by the community’s efforts.

“These hay drops, hamper giveaways and fuel cards will help make the Christmas period more bearable for our Aussie farmers,” he said.

“Many have struggled to afford the basics and this generosity will help families and their towns get through.”

The visionary behind the event, entertainment industry executive and former musician Glenn Wheatley, will present Mr Alder the $2.8 million cheque of concert proceeds in front of a proud Tamworth community on December, 11.

In another effort to provide as much economic boost to rural communities, Rural Aid has created a new card program that injects cash without any fees to the card holder or businesses directly into the bank accounts of businesses who accept the card.

Every purchase made with a Country Card sees 100 per cent of the value be paid to the retail business, no eftpos or credit card fees.

More information visit www.ruralaid.org.au/countrycard/

Source: Western Magazine