“They said people were shooting their animals so they didn’t starve,” he said. “Nobody wants to do that.

“If a farmer is having to shoot their pride cattle, that’s their career down the drain.”

When he heard the situation was as bad here at home in the Hunter as it was in other parts of the country, he decided he had to do something.

So Mr King approached fellow former St George rugby league mate and Maitland Community Men’s Shed member, Eddie Lumsden, to start a campaign to get hay to the farmers.

“I thought what could two old footballers do to try and help these farmers out,” he said.

“They’re doing it really tough at the moment.”

The pair got in contact with JS Transport Group at Heatherbrae, which kindly offered its services in the form of a truck, trailer and fuel to help transport fodder to farmers in the Upper Hunter.

The Maitland Community Men’s Shed at East Maitland has also offered its workshop ute to pick up hay from the local area to be loaded onto the truck.

And for those who don’t have access to hay but still want to help out, the group has set up a bank account which people can transfer money into so the Men’s Shed can buy the feed themselves.

Mr King launched the idea on Tuesday, and in just 24 hours $250 worth of donations had been made to the campaign already.

He has urged Maitland residents, local businesses and other Men’s Sheds around the Hunter Region to get on board with the initiative.

“Anyone willing to get in and give farmers a hand,” he said.

The group’s aim is to fill an entire truck with hay – approximately 350 bales.

Mr King said the donations would support the farmers most in need in the Upper Hunter.

“The drought is everywhere, but we’re trying to look after the ones close to home,” he said.

To organise a hay pickup, contact Maitland Community Men’s Shed on 4934 1293 from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 3pm or email the shed at: maitlandcms@gmail.com.

Donations can also be made direct into the bank account:

Donate A Bale

BSB: 637000

Account: 722764552