Christmas will be much cosier and a little easier for many farming families doing it tough this year, thanks to a donation from staff across South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
Sutherland Rural Fire Service collected boxes of goods from Sutherland Hospital on Thursday. They filled their truck and will transport some welcome gifts to drought-stricken farmers on rural properties.
It is part of a Christmas giving gesture whereby nurses and midwives collect donations.
This year, the campaign supported Feed a Farmer – a shared initiative between NSW Police, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service.
They are working with food relief organisation Foodbank to provide non-perishable items to drought affected farmers in NSW and the ACT.
The initiative is part of the We Care charitable project work, which supports facilities, teams and staff to give back to the community, and to build strong and enduring connections with communities.
Among the goods being donated – knitted jumpers for lambs on rural properties.
The truck will also pick up goods from St George Hospital and Calvary Health Care at Kogarah.
District director of nursing and midwifery services, Kim Olesen, says things like canned goods, rice, cereal, toiletries, sunscreen and laundry detergent will help many families.
“Feed a Farmer is a wonderful opportunity to be able to provide for our generous farmers, their families and communities during this devastating NSW drought,” she said.
“Christmas is a time for celebration – and I’d like to thank of all the staff who picked up extra items during their grocery shopping to help make this time of year more festive and enjoyable for our farming communities.”