A small idea to help those in drought has allowed more than 80 local farmers to access over one million litres of water easing the financial burden associated with ongoing drought conditions.
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The One Million Litres Promise was an idea created by Andrew Pratt and Shane Globits at Club North Haven and gave the community a practical way to help local farmers who were struggling.
The goal was to donate a million litres of water and in early January 2020 that goal was reached.
The water would delivered would help farmers feed stock, clean down stables and machinery and could also be used in the farm house for drinking and bathing water.
To get the program off the ground the club partnered with local businesses including First National Real Estate North Haven and Rotary International Club North Haven's Peter Negus said.
"We are just so happy to have been able to help local farmers and farms who were struggling with the drought and then more recently with the bushfires," Mr Negus said.
"It started when Andrews and Shane put their heads together to come up with a way the club could help those in the community and we are just so proud to have been able to deliver on our promise and then some.
"To date we have delivered over one million litres of water to over 80 farms all within 100 kilometres of the club and that is just extraordinary."
Mr Negus said it would not have been possible without the help of the community and in particular the local businesses and suppliers who jumped at the chance to help.
"We are so incredibly grateful for everyone who came onboard and especially those who came on right at the beginning," he said.
We are so incredibly grateful for everyone who came onboard and especially those who came on right at the beginning.
- Peter Negus
"Everyone who donated time and money - everything from $10 right up to the larger amounts we were blown away with the support and the community's willingness to help those in need."
First National Real Estate's Stewart O'Brien said his team were proud to be part of the program right from the beginning.
"As sponsors of Club North Haven, when we heard about their idea of the One Million Litre Promise, there was absolutely no hesitation to jump on board," Mr O'Brien said.
"During this event, our office donated over $5,000, which was $150 from the selling fee of every home we sold.
"The rewarding part for us wasn't just the act of handing over the money, we actually headed out to some of these farms, had the pleasure of meeting the farmers and see first-hand just how badly the water is needed.
"And more importantly how grateful the farmers were. We like to help out the community where we can, because the end result is so rewarding for everyone."
With the drought still raging, what is next for the program? Peter Negus said stay tuned.
"We reached our goal and are so happy to have been able to donate over a million litres of water and so we are currently reviewing everything we did," he said.
"Clubs NSW have come on board and are taking the initiative statewide so the water donations will continue and we hope to continue helping local farmers until the drought breaks."
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