Toyota doubles Aussie Helpers’ relief fund
Toyota has announced it has matched the
amount of money collected for Aussie Helpers at its
Australia Day Eve Concert in Tamworth, bringing the total
amount raised from $16, 161.40 to $32,500.
Toyota’s Divisional Manager of National
Marketing, Peter Webster, said that the concert was a huge
success with more than 20,000 attendees giving generously to
Aussie Helpers - a not-for-profit organisation nominated by
Toyota and Lee Kernaghan as the designated fundraising
charity for the evening.
“People were clearly moved when the
organisation’s founder Brian Egan presented them with some
of the issues faced by farmers battling drought and
depression, and wanted to make an immediate contribution to
the cause,” Peter said.
“The response has been overwhelming and we
have had many people, including members of our national
dealer network enquiring as to how else to help. With so
many of our dealers in rural and regional areas there is a
natural empathy and desire to assist. By doubling the amount
raised we are hoping to get things moving,” he said.
Aussie Helpers Founder, Brian Egan, said
that the funding would provide practical assistance to
farmers who were struggling in such times of severe
drought. “It’s certainly reassuring to know that the plight
of Aussie Helpers has been heard by the 20,000-plus people
who attended Toyota’s Australia Day Eve concert and
supported by Toyota, its ambassadors Lee Kernaghan, Melinda
Schneider and others,” Brian said.
“Aussie Helpers was first started with $20
and a hamper of food so it would be fair to say that
$32,500 will have a strong impact. There are many farmers
across Australia who will take great comfort in knowing that
they are not alone,” he said.
Brian travels up to 4000km each week
visiting farming families and using his experience of his
past life to help others. Some twenty volunteers work in
varying ways with Aussie Helpers. In four and a half years
they have given away over 150 tonnes of groceries and about
700 tonnes of stock fodder as well as counselling and
support for those battling drought and the depression it
brings.
For further media information or to
interview Peter Webster or Brian Egan please contact:
Chriss Mannix
Haystac
Tel: 03 9909 7815
Mob: 0418 408 035
E:
Aussie Helpers would like
to thank Toyota for their generosity in matching dollar for
dollar, the donations raised at the Australia Day Concert in
Tamworth. Their contribution has enabled Aussie Helpers to
assist many more drought affected families.
M