A little spare change went a long way for drought relief campaign

The donation tins from Tamworth Regional Council and 88.9FM’s drought awareness campaign, R U Aware We Care have been collected and counted. 

The campaign committee are proud to announce that the 195 tins that were spread across businesses in the region collected a whopping total of $43,710.40, raised in spare change donations. 

“This is an incredible community effort and proof that a little really does go a long way’, said Tamworth Region Acting Mayor Phil Betts. 

“To everyone who threw their spare change in the tins or donated to the R U Aware We Care campaign, thank you. Your contribution to this cause has been fantastic to see and Council will continue to seek the best avenues to support our entire community in this difficult time and into the future.”

In 2018, Tamworth Regional Council and 88.9FM joined forces to launch the campaign with the aim of raising awareness and encouraging support for those suffering from the effects of drought across the New England and Northwest. 

The campaign saw a series of drought forums rolled out across the New England North West, the hosting of an “R U Aware We Care” Fundraising Concert, significant fundraising and support extended to over 700 drought-affected families. 

The grassroots initiative began to draw to a close in January 2019 as the campaign committee saw it unfair to continue seeking donations and support from an entire community that is suffering from the impacts of the drought. 

Council is continuing to advocate for more long-term drought relief and future drought “proofing” avenues through further state and federal government support and the Salvation Army is continuing to provide drought-relief assistance resources to those in need. 

As of 15 April 2019, The Salvation Army has distributed over $1.5mil worth of assistance, generated as a result of the R U Aware We Care Campaign.

Salvos' Rural Support program will continue to aid through this drought. The R U Aware We Care Committee urge anyone needing assistance to visit your local Salvos church, contact  (02) 8757 8088 or complete the online application for support at http:///salvos.org.au/need-help/disaster-relief-and-support