Australia’s most trusted rural charity Rural Aid has been overwhelmed by the generous support for our mates in the 
bush.

Australians showed amazing generosity for farmers doing it tough as part of the charity’s inaugural Giving Day.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the outpouring of support shows just how loved and valued our farmers are.

“Our incredible farmers push through disaster after disaster to put food on our tables and clothes on our backs,” Mr Warlters said.

“It’s heartwarming to see the public recognise their grit in such a generous way.

“We’re humbled to receive more than $1m in donations on our first Giving Day.

“Thank you to the thousands of Australians who dug deep to help our mates in the bush.”

In the past two years, crop and cattle farmer Chris Neilsen has battled through bushfire, drought, mouse plague and most recently, excessive rains on his property.

“We have been from one extreme to the other,” Mr Neilsen said.

His wheat and barley crops were days away from harvest before flooding rains caused them to shoot.

“In the period of a month, you have seen what you have worked the last six months for and it’s gone,” he said.

Rural Aid’s supporters answered the call for help with compassionate gusto.

Hundreds of donors expressed their gratitude to our farmers when making their financial contributions.

Rural Aid originally set a fundraising target of $750,000, but that goal was beaten around lunchtime on Giving Day, Friday the 10th of December.

A revised target of $1m was reached early last week.

“We’d like to thank our corporate partners that have helped eclipse the $1m mark including Evolution Mining, Domino’s and Godolphin,” Mr Warlters said.

“We are grateful beyond words for every dollar donated.”

“Thanks to the generosity of the public, Rural Aid will be able to help more farmers in more places in 2022.”