Racegoers have put more than $20,000 in the kitty to help struggling farmers battling drought across the Hunter.
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The 1500-strong crowd frocked up for the Buy A Bale Hunter race day at Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday – some donning their best country outfits.
The money will help buy hay, water and groceries for farmers in the Upper and Lower Hunter.
Newcastle Jockey Club CEO Matt Benson said he wanted to raise $100,000 for the charity and the result on Saturday was a promising start.
Read more: Race day backs Hunter Buy A Bale campaign
More fundraisers are in the works to help the club reach the target.
“It’s a great start to our campaign, we were really pleased with the day – the racing was great, the weather was great and we’ve kicked off the campaign very positively,” Mr Benson said.
The goal of $100,000 is the bigger picture and we will direct a lot of our fundraising efforts throughout the year to helping our farmers out. The important message to get out there is that you don’t just have a couple of decent rainfalls and the drought is over – these people are still struggling and they still need our help and support
- Newcastle Jockey Club CEO Matt Benson
Mr Benson praised the County’s Bounty fundraiser which featured horse County Tyrone and his manure. It raised $10,000. The winner generously donated their $2000 prize money to the cause.
