FARMERS and their families live in ‘third world conditions’ as they struggle under the weight of relentless drought.
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The issue can’t become a flash in the pan for the media or the public, Drought Angels charity founder Tash Johnstone said.
“In my lifetime I never thought I would see anything like this,” she said.
“Families are living in third world conditions, historically I’d relate it to The Great Depression, I had a family where a little girl was breaking out in boils because her parents couldn’t afford fruit and vegetables, that shouldn’t be happening – not here in Australia.”
Drought Angels began over coffee in Chinchilla, when friends Nikki Blackwell and Ms Johnstone felt compelled to do more to help farmers.
The charity started in a shipping container in Ms Johnstone’s backyard, it quickly turned into five at which point her husband decided it was time to move to a warehouse.
Every day at least 10 requests from desperate families pour in and funds were starting to run dry.
“It was at the point where we thought if the drought kept getting worse we would have to say no,” she said.
But, a $100,000 donation from the Greater Bank handed over in Tamworth should keep the charity ticking.
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If people can’t donate, they should consider buying Australian made products in their weekly shop Ms Johnstone said.
“People need to understand what’s happening in rural Australia because it will affect every single one of us,” she said.
“We don’t want to bombard people to the point where they’re sick of hearing it but it needs to stay at the forefront because it’s still critical.”