2NZ breakfast host James ‘Monte’ Irvine was thrilled to see Glen Innes’ Mary and Terry Pickham donate several bags of groceries on Monday morning, and hopes it’s just a hint of what’s to come.

“We want to help the farmers in the Inverell area, in our listening area. That’s one of our biggest goals,” he said.

“2NZ says that we’re the voice of Northern New England, well here’s our chance to help Northern New England farmers.”

Mary said the couple saw farmers’ plight during a recent trip to Lightning Ridge, and were saddened to see many struggle to feed their stock.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she said.

“I’ve been wanting to do something,” Terry added. 

Running until August 31, locals are encouraged to bring food (with a long shelf life), toiletries and cleaning products to the 2NZ/Gem FM offices on 167 Byron Street between 9am and 4.30pm.

The station has paired up with the Rural Outreach and Support Service, which will help distribute the donations to the local farmers who need it most.

SEE ALSO

“If when you’re out shopping you can buy one extra can or one extra thing, and come and drop it down, it’s going to go a long way. It’s going to help,” Monte said.

He said he was inspired to create Fight for the Farmers after a sister radio station in Dubbo ran a similar drive.

“Coming from a rural community down in Forbes, I know how important the farmers are to these communities for contributing to the economy,” he said.

2NZ/Gem FM will keep the community updated on the six week drive through their Facebook pages, and welcome any businesses or community organisations who wish to be involved.