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RIGHT across the country, businesses large and small have responded to the 2018 drought disaster with fundraising efforts designed to provide financial, as well as much-needed psychological support to hard-hit livestock producers.

Typical is a recent project undertaken by staff working for animal ID and monitoring product supplier, Allflex.

When Allflex factory operations’ team member Trish Aspland started thinking about the rural communities impacted by drought, she decided that there must be a way to help out.

Along with the majority of her colleagues in the factory, her only connection to farmers was through her role at Allflex. However the strong relationships that the company has forged with Australian farmers filters through to all areas of the business, and in this case, fuelled Trish’s empathy for the tough conditions in rural NSW and Queensland at present.

Trish rallied the troops and decided to hold a fundraising lunch at the Allflex factory, office and distribution centre at Capalaba, on Brisbane’s southside. She initiated the ‘Flanno for a Farmer’ drought relief fundraiser, encouraging her workmates to don a flannel work shirt for a day in support of farmers.

The project managed to raise a total of $18,700 that will go to the dedicated drought specific charity, Drought Angels.

The lunch included a call from NSW farmer George King from Coombing Park near Carcoar, who provided Allflex staff with an update on the conditions in his area and the impact this drought will have for the next 2-3 years while stock numbers rebuild.

Allflex representatives will continue to work with local communities to lend a hand where they can during this difficult time, the company said.

• See yesterday’s Woolworths drought fundraiser story, raising more than $7 million for drought aid.