STAFF at Coles in Wingham have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community after once again raising funds for a good cause.
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This time their charity of choice was the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners and locals have raised a staggering $2500 for drought effected farmers.
"It's absolutely fantastic," said Coles team member Bec Boyd.
All staff got into the spirit of the occasion dressing in western themed clothing and customers have been beyond generous.
"It's a little close to the heart this one," admits Bec. The Burrumbuttock Hay Runners have successfully completed 11 hay runs since 2014.
The runs were started by fourth-generation NSW farmer Brendan Farrell who decided to do something after reading an article in November 2013 about a "young family struggling to survive" in drought effected Bourke in NSW's north-west.
"We just thought, 'we have hay, we have a truck' and it would help ease the pressure, and let their kids know that there are still good people in the world trying to help people," he said. "We were just going to take one truck, but we ended up with 22 trucks. That made us think we could do more."
In January it was a 125-truck convoy that rolled into Ilfracombe at dusk after completing an 1860km journey that will go down in the record books.
They were greeted with heartfelt thanks the length of their journey through Queensland, which has endured three long years of drought and hardship as many have emptied their bank accounts trying to keep stock alive.
More hay runs are planned with the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners stating "while there is still a drought and we can still get hay, the runs will continue."
You can follow the hay runs and find out further information about donating by going to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners Facebook page.
