MARK Brennan is accustomed to helping people.
He is an Assistant in Nursing at Port Macquarie Base Hospital but lately his support has also been felt in drought-stricken communities such as Toompine, Collinsville and Pilliga.
The 52-year-old has spent the past few weeks raising money for Buy a Bale, a campaign that supports rural communities by delivering hay and other essential items to farmers who have no feed left for their cattle.
“I saw a news story about the drought in western NSW and much of Queensland, and the impact it was having on our farmers,” Mr Brennan said.
“It was heartbreaking. At the end of the news story, the details for Buy A Bale’s website came up so I contacted the organisers to see what I could do to help.
“With the support of the hospital’s management, I placed money collection tins in all of the wards and the cafeteria, and just two weeks on we’ve raised $239.40.
“This drought is having a devastating impact on livestock, on farmers and on rural communities. And it won’t be long before it impacts on each and every one of us at the checkout.”
Mr Brennan said recent rainfall had brought short-term relief but drier than normal conditions were forecast for winter.
“The danger for farmers now is that because of some recent falls, people think the drought is over. It’s not over, and it’s going to take some farmers years to recover,” he said.
Mr Brennan encouraged anyone wanting to contribute to the appeal to phone him on 0413 762 314 or visit www.buyabale.com.au.
Donations not only purchase hay for livestock, but are also used to buy water, buy feed for working dogs and pay farm utility bills.
“I’d like to thank Port Macquarie Base Hospital for supporting the cause, and perhaps now is the time to challenge other hospitals on the Mid-North Coast to beat our tally,” Mr Brennan said.
