Some of the best ideas happen when you’re just sitting on the lounge at home. When Barry and Leanne Fitzgerald were relaxing on a Sunday night a few weeks ago, they began to chat about how they could help local farmers – in a very practical way.

“My husband put a post on Facebook asking how we could help farmers in our local area,” Leanne Fitzgerald said. “He got a few replies from tradies, but the next day I decided to make a page up called Helping Farmers in the Central West. After seeing that page I got a call from Pete Phillips who said ‘why don’t we help out a whole town?’”

Once people saw the Facebook call to arms, Leanne was inundated with help. Many people volunteered their time and resources and also offered to be a collection or drop-off point so that people across the Central West could donate non perishable goods to those on the land doing it tough.

Helping Farmers in the Central West now has drop-off points across the west and as far afield as Marrickville.

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People wishing to support our farmers can donate non perishable food items or gift card  (Coles, Woolworths or fuel cards). Every little bit helps, no matter how small, including toothpaste, toilet paper, dog food, water or work clothes.

Ms Fitzgerald and Mr Phillips put their heads together and decide the aid this time around will go to helping out the people of Tooraweenah.

“Tooraweenah is in between Condo and Gilgandra, and has no running water,” she said. “The town of around 100 people has been somewhat forgotten and when Pete drove through he noticed their creeks just aren’t flowing. There are 70 farms in Tooraweenah, which is an older community,” she said.

So Leanne and Pete went for a roadtrip to meet with the people from Tooraweenah and had a town meeting.

From that meeting it was decided to hold a Drought Relief working bee on September 21 to 23, where volunteers tradies and average Aussies will come together to pitch in and help out.

“So, if you spare a weekend to come along, we need as many tradies and labourers – or anyone willing to give these farmers a helping hand – as possible,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Each of the 70 farmers will receive a hamper, put together from the donations which are being dropped off.

People wishing to donate goods can contact Leanne on 0404 264 591 or tradies who want to help can call Pete on 0413 124 570.