Much-needed hay will be delivered to drought-affected farmers after $10,000 worth of diesel was donated by one of Australia's largest fuel companies.
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Caltex will provide the fuel required to transport hay almost 600 kilometres from Darlington Point in the Riverina, to struggling farmers at Brewarrina, Weilmoringle and Lightning Ridge.
Riverina-based hay run organiser Brendan Farrell said the generous donation will ease the financial burden for drivers who volunteer their time and equipment to deliver the much needed fodder.
"Local towns and communities right across Australian have been pitching in to help cover some of the operational costs, including the fuel bill," Mr Farrell said.
"We're doing this off our own backs - it's just me and 50 of my mates that drive trucks for a living, so Caltex's donation of $10,000 of diesel is a big boost."
Past drives have delivered more than $2.5 million worth of hay to about 700 farmers across NSW.
Mr Farrell said the next load was scheduled to leave two weeks ago but had been delayed by several weeks due to bad weather.
"Any rain in these areas is excellent but the drought isn't over - not by any stretch of the imagination," he said.
"It will take much more than one rainfall event to turn things around for farmers - they still need our help and will for some time yet."
For more information about the hay drive initiative, search for 'Burrumbuttock to Bourke hay run' on Facebook.