After several weeks of locals digging deep to help locals, the R U Aware We Care drought relief campaign has turned a welcome new corner.
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Help has started seriously flowing in from outside this region, everyone from individuals to corporations pitching in.
One Newcastle man’s collections drive has gathered eight tonnes of non-perishable food within a fortnight.
And Kellogg’s Australia confirmed this week it would donate groceries worth $40,000 – and urge other companies to do similar.
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Campaign founder, Radio 88.9FM manager George Frame, said this was a pleasing increase in drought awareness and donations from beyond the region.
There are concerns among some volunteer groups that many of the people donating are not exactly in clover themselves – or soon won’t be thanks to the drought’s flow-on effect to local businesses and workers.
Salvation Army captain Rhonda Clutterbuck said she had seen plenty of “people who are doing it tough helping other people”.
“We’ve had a lot of seniors coming into the office with vouchers, food, cheques or cash donations,” she said.
“They’re not doing it flash themselves, but they’re still giving what they can.”
Drought forums
R U Aware We Care yesterday officially launched its series of drought forums, which will start next week.
The launch took place at the Salvos’ headquarters on Goonoo Goonoo Road, where about 40 volunteers also turned out to help pack up the food hampers for forum attendees.
Mr Frame said he urged farming families to get along to their nearest one.
“When they go to those forums, they’ll be welcome … They can meet the experts, sit down with them and express where their problems are.”
People from a range of services and every level of government will attend, aiming to connect people with the help or advice they need.
The Navigating the Drought forums will be held from 10am to 3pm at:
- Attunga hall, August 7;
- Narrabri RSL, August 8;
- Moree RSL, August 9;
- Inverell RSM, August 14;
- Glen Innes Services Club, August 15.
“We don’t want to impose ourselves upon you; we just want to come alongside you.”
R U Aware W Care is an initiative of 88.9FM and Tamworth Regional Council, along with Wests Entertainment Group, Salvation Army Tamworth, CWA, Tamworth Business Chamber and NSW Farmers.
It’s one of many grassroots campaigns running across the region.