A GRIFFITH truckie with a big heart is reaching out to offer struggling farmers a hand.
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Touched by the plight of a farmer, who was obviously doing it tough, Brendan Farrell felt compelled to act.
“I saw one farmer on the internet in dire straits and I managed to track him down,” he said.
“I told him I’d see what I could do to help and put the call out. It has just kind of snowballed from there.
“I’ve only got enough hay to help 40 to 50 farmers, but there’d be 400, who could do with it.
"To have a 35 to 40 truck convoy would be great.”
Two months ago Mr Farrell put the call out for help and so far 816 squares and 100 rolls of hay have been donated to drought affected farmers in the Bourke area.
He has organised a 17-semi-trailer convoy, but could do with more donations of hay and fuel for the 11-hour trip.
The convoy will assemble at the Waddi Road House on February 7 at 8.30am ready to leave for Bourke.
Mr Farrell, who was born and bred in the Burrumbuttock area, is currently living at Stanbridge and working in Griffith.
His wife, Shannon, has a brain tumour that requires treatment in Sydney.
“The moral support of strangers on Facebook, comments like ‘give us a call if we can help’, have been great, so I just want to put my hand up to help others,” he said.
The birth of their daughter two weeks ago has also inspired him to improve lives.
“I want to let people know that there are farmers struggling. This is about making sure farmers are not hanging out of trees,” he said.
“If I can help one farmer, I’ve done my bit.”
There is a donation tin at TLE in Bridge Road for locals wishing to donate money.
Meanwhile, anyone who can donate fuel vouchers or hay should phone him on 0467 808 229.
Brendan can also be contacted through the Burrumbuttock to Bourke Hay Run Facebook page.