A TRUCK convoy stretching 160 kilometres will be a sight to behold when drivers with hearts of gold take part in the latest Burrumbuttock Hay Runners adventure.
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The run will again deliver donated bales of hay to drought-striken Illfracombe in Queensland.
Drivers from across the Leeton region and the rest of the country are donating their time to take part.
Organiser of the run, Leeton shire resident Brendan Farrell, said the convoy was about “98 per cent” ready to go.
“We’ve got 280 prime movers and 380 trailers that will stretch about 160 to 170 kilometres on the road,” he said.
“We’ve hit $450,000 in our fundraising for fuel costs for the drivers.
“That was always my biggest thing.
“These blokes are already donating their time, I didn’t want them to have to cover the cost of fuel as well.”
A similar run was held in January, with Mr Farrell already planning another trip for three months time, as well as a fourth later in the year.
He said he almost didn’t make it aboard the current convoy.
“My wife has been pretty sick and I wasn’t going to leave her,” Mr Farrell said.
“She’s started to get a bit better, so it’s looking like I’ll make it.
“She basically said to me ‘you’re going’.”
The hay run has attracted national attention, which helped in recent fundraising efforts to get the trucks on the road.
“The money has come in from everywhere, whether it’s from groups and clubs in Leeton and Yanco, or the wider Riverina, Victoria and all kinds of other places,” Mr Farrell said.
“It’s been quite a shock, but it’s certainly appreciated.
“Whether people donated $5 or $5000 it has all helped.”
Mr Farrell has spoken with farmers in the area and they were more than appreciative of the efforts. “It’s getting quite serious for them at the moment,” he said.
The run will leave from Darlington Point on Thursday before trucks will likely start heading back on April 5.
