Forget the sled, bells and reindeer, this year Santa will be wearing cut sleeves and rolling in a Kenworth.
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Children of the outback will be scanning the horizons for diesel fumes set to the tune of low gear come Christmas, as over a convoy of over 100 truck drivers will be filling Santa’s shoes, volunteering their time and sleep to ensure presents for drought affected families.
This year will be the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners’ second Christmas Toy Run, organised by die hard truckie Brendan Farrell who won an order of Australia for delivering hay to farmers in need.
Griffith farmer Tash Hodge and radio 2MIA presenter Scott Grinly are organising cash and stationery collections in Griffith, encouraging locals and business to get on board.
“During drought you go without everything, all your parents can give you is food on the table and a roof over your head, I’m actually a farmer myself and my kids are going without at the moment, we are cropping and sheep,” Mrs Hodge said.
“Knowing what it’s like to grow up during a drought Christmas that motivates me to get involved with the Christmas Run, I’ve had help to organise it with Scott’s radio station.”
Mr Grinly said cash and stationery donations for the Christmas Run can be deposited to collections at Searl’s Newsagency, Griffith Feed and Grain and Irrigation Specialists in Griffith.
Mr Grinly said the Hay Runners are especially looking for “cash donations (to) buy presents off the wholesale so that we can set up a show bag kind of package and Brendan specified a four to 10 year old age bracket.”
Mr Grinly said stationery donations are also ideal as they are easy to organise into packages and not gender specific.
“I’m in the irrigation industry drought affected our business and the business I’ve worked for and you know how it specifically affects the farmers because when you talk to them they don't mind telling you,” Mr Grinly said.
“I work with Irrigation Specialists and I want to challenge the other irrigation businesses and the other businesses in town to stump up a bit of cash.”
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