Those stories have provoked hundreds of letters and comments on social media.

We have been inundated with people coming forward, willing to share their story in the hopes it might move the needle closer.

And while all those stories are among the most heartbreaking and confronting stories one can imagine, they are also tales of survival and hope.

Eight weeks ago, Deputy Prime Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce requested a meeting with Social Services Minister Christian Porter.

On Wednesday, the pair will be joined by Parkes MP Mark Coulton to discuss the good work the program does and how the government can continue to support it.

The meeting comes as the Department of Social Services announces it will extend the program’s transitional grant until the end of the year.

It’s fantastic to see the government come to the table with a funding extension – it truly is a testament to people power.

The six-month extension, which amounts to $50,000, means the right doors are being knocked on. Now we just need someone to open the door.

As local magistrate and Tamworth’s 2017 Citizen of the Year, Mal MacPherson, said: “to run the whole show we need $400,000 [a year]”.

As far as funding requests go, surely there can be nothing as cheap and effective.

The amount of good work and tangible results Youth Insearch has been able to achieve with its government backing of $400,000 a year is nothing short of astounding.

In the grand scheme of things – billions in tax cuts, millions in infrastructure projects – $400,000 really is a drop in the ocean.

There is still work to do while we wait for the outcome of the meeting.

Fairfax will continue its campaign, which you can be a part of. Write to your local federal representative, whether it be Mr Joyce or Mr Coulton, write to Minister Porter.

Every voice that joins the choir allows the message to be heard louder and clearer by those who make funding decisions.

With your help, the momentum has started to shift and the ball has started to roll.

Don’t stop now.