A group of primary school students have stepped up to help Hunter farmers struggling to survive the effects of the drought.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
St Peter’s Primary School in Stockton held a lunchtime fundraiser in March which saw more than $700 collected as well as non-perishable items and pet food.
The news soon spread about their contribution and saw donations flow from the town’s residents.
Canteen manager Emily Crampton delivered the donations to Buy A Bale Hunter collection point Kirkwoods Produce in Rutherford, who were amazed at the generosity.
There were 10 large shopping bags of dog food, boxes of cat and dog food, and many bags of groceries.
The items will be used to make hampers for farmers across the Hunter.
“We were pretty stoked with the outcome,” she said.
Ms Crampton said the cause was close to her heart.
Farmers need our help – it’s a green drought, you’ll drive through and think everything is okay, but it’s not, the drought is far from over.
“We have the luxury in Stockton of having access to our bore water where we can put the sprinklers on of an afternoon and no-one ever has to suffer from a patch of brown grass,” she said.
“Once I saw the Mercury’s article about the fundraiser I thought that we need to bring more awareness to our coastal kids who have no idea what goes on over the bridge.
Ms Crampton said nearby residents gave what they could to help make a difference.
“I had people in my street come over with $50, one girl gave me $70 – it raised awareness for the community as well,” she said.
We’re teaching the kids about compassion and the school thought it would be great to teach them to have compassion not just for causes we raise money for overseas but also for something local as well
“I come from the Hunter Valley and my husband comes from the valley, before that he lived in central west NSW and our kids are aware of what happens but a lot of the kids don’t.”
Students raised the money through a meal deal where they bought a frankfurt, drink and juice pop.
Ms Crampton said Stockton IGA sold them frankfurts and bread at wholesale rates to support the cause.
“It really helped when I approached the new manager at the IGA – I said to him that Stockton is injected with funds from people up the valley all year round who come to stay at the caravan park and shop at the IGA.
“His contribution helped us to make more profit.”
Belinda-Jane Davis
Passionate about community news
Passionate about community news
