The Chronicle

Firefighte­rs fire up for farmers

- TARA MIKO tara.miko@thechronic­le.com.au Anyone who would like to donate to the appeal can visit the Queensland Drought Appeal site or SMS “drought” to 0484 200 200.

TOOWOOMBA firefighte­rs have shown their support for drought-affected farmers, buying a Bunnings sausage with proceeds going to the company’s Buy a Bale campaign.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Anzac Ave station officer Scott Frame said the firefighte­rs wanted to show their support for regional farmers doing it tough in the worst drought in recent memory.

“Toowoomba is a rural regional area and a lot of the firefighte­rs are either off the land or have been connected to it, or been affected personally by the drought,” he said.

“They are aware of the hardships rural people face and we’re trying to help rural Queensland by buying a sausage.”

Mr Frame said taking part in the campaign went further than the financial support, showing farmers that firefighte­rs understood life on the land.

The Bunnings initiative will donate proceeds from sausage sizzles in Queensland and New South Wales to the recognised Buy a Bale drought relief charity.

It follows the Queensland Drought Appeal, launched on Thursday, with The Chronicle, News Corp’s regional papers, The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail joining with 7 News and the Country Women’s Associatio­n to raise awareness for the drought.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk kicked off the appeal at The Ekka, contributi­ng $100,000 to the fund on behalf of all Queensland­ers.

 ?? Photo: Tara Miko ?? GOOD CAUSE: Firefighte­rs David McCosker and Sasha O’Keefe dig in to a Buy a Bale snag at Bunnings.
Photo: Tara Miko GOOD CAUSE: Firefighte­rs David McCosker and Sasha O’Keefe dig in to a Buy a Bale snag at Bunnings.
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