Even in the grip of a critical drought, farmers in the NSW Riverina are still thinking of others, donating livestock and raising money for a young man left facing life with no legs and just one hand.
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On a brisk winter morning in Griffith in the state's southwest, locals gathered at the town's sheep yards, filled with animals raised off barren paddocks.
Most of those present could do with some help themselves but, as any farmer worth their salt will tell you, there's always someone a bit worse off.
Josh 'Chooka' Hanlon certainly fits that bill.
The former apprentice electrician and North Wagga football star contracted bacterial infection Strep A after a Sunday at the Murrumbidgee River on the June long weekend.
Feeling unwell on the Monday, Josh, 21, drove himself to hospital. He didn't know it at the time, but his vital organs had begun to shut down.
"Unfortunately the treatment they had to give him to save his life meant his blood clotted in his limbs and he had both his legs amputated below the knee and he lost his right hand," family friend Nicola Northey told AAP.
Josh also lost part of his lung, his appendix and part of his bowel in his fight to stay alive.
Realising the young man would face immeasurable hurdles, communities in the small towns of the Riverina and surrounds got to work.
From Tullibigeal to Ganmain, from West Wyalong to Wagga people gave what they could.
Football clubs passed buckets around at games and as countless raffles and auctions were held in the drought-distressed areas the money climbed into the thousands.
A fundraiser Ms Northey organised in Weethalle, with a population of just 250, raised $42,000 in one night.
Back at Griffith's sale yards the sheep drive - a fundraiser where farmers donated some of their flock - raised close to $90,000.
"It's hard, especially this season, that's farmers' livelihoods so for them to donate stock that could keep them afloat, that's a real indication of the rural spirit," Ms Northey said.
The total amount raised for Josh is estimated to be close to the $200,000 mark. Yet, despite the tough times, the rural community isn't finished giving money that's in scarce supply.
On Thursday, a sheep drive in Wagga added a few thousand more, organiser Kent Steward dipping into his own pocket and donating 18 lambs that sold for $304 each.
"The family's a good family, they're just ordinary people who would do anything for anyone else and Josh has a real fight to go yet," he told AAP.
"It's tough times, especially with the drought ... but it could have happened to any one of us."
AFL grand final weekend will see Wagga gather together to watch the match live at North Wagga's MacPherson Oval, Josh's home ground, in another bid to raise the funds he'll desperately need in the years ahead.
Australian Associated Press