Community spirit was front and centre on the weekend, as a convoy of community-minded truckies delivered almost 3000 bales of hay to fire affected farmers.

The Mount Gambier Hay Run left the city’s outskirts on Saturday morning, heading to Lucindale to deliver the donated fodder to those who lost grazing land in last week’s Blackford fire.

Almost 70 trucks joined the convoy, converging with Victorian counterparts at Naracoorte before continuing on their journey.

Mount Gambier Hay Run coordinator Adam Smith said he was blown away by the support, considering he and his team pulled the event together in only three days. “I had a phone call last week asking if we could help out with hay and after making a few calls to those who took part in the hay run last year we had plenty of people offering to help out again,” he said.

“There were so many people who donated hay, trucks and trailers and drivers who were more than happy to give up their day to drive it up there. “I am so very humbled to have all these amazing men and women behind our awesome hay run, to me they are the heroes.

“These drivers have worked all week driving and then to spend another day to help one of our communities out, I just take my hat off to them all.” Mr Smith said one of the most touching moments of the day was as the convoy entered Lucindale to deliver the hay, only to see residents lining the streets with signs of thanks for the truckies.

“It was a very emotional day and that just showed us why we do it, just to see kids there with signs thanking us,” he said. “We do not do this for the thanks, we just want to help out, but it really drives it home that our efforts are appreciated.

“I love Mount Gambier and I love South Australia and to see people rally around to help those who have been doing it tough just shows what great community spirit we have.”

The truckies were fuelled by free coffees from the Roadhouse on O’Leary, with owner Cari Merrett doing her bit to contribute to the cause.