After a breather back home to spend time with his family over Easter, Beaudesert truckie Kris Jennings is heading back to Quilpie and Thargomindah with more hay on May 3.
Jennings became an overnight social media sensation earlier this month when his initial offer to delivery fodder to flood-stricken farmers in the region was knocked back due to fire ant red tape.
But now that’s all behind him, and inspired by the on-going need for help in the region, the boss of Jennings Bulk Haulage is fired up and ready to do a lot more.
“If anyone wants to be a part of it [the May 3 run], just reach out to us,” Jennings told Big Rigs.
“Even if you just want to tow a single. Everyone just get on board, no matter what it is. Just send me a text or message to my business [Facebook] page.”
Jennings said the communities in the flood-ravaged areas need just as much help now as they did at the start.
“The government has left Quilpie area now and the choppers have stopped and these guys feel alone.
“They’ve got a big road ahead of them.”
Moved by the ongoing challenges he’s seen firsthand, Jennings is now hoping to start a charity to formalise his commitment to helping the bush communities get back on their feet.
“I’ve really got a passion for this now,” said Jennings, who also put $3000 on the bar one night to show his appreciation for all those who rallied to his cause.
“There are enough good people in this country that we could do this, the way we are, and I’ll run it for free – some charities are paying singles $4.20 a kilometre, either way. No one makes that in the real world.
“I’m just doing what’s right. If you added up all the hay, all the chopper fuel and all the trucks that didn’t get paid for the last week, we’ve probably blown through a million bucks ourselves – and no one’s taken a cent.”
Jennings said one of the biggest lessons he’s learned in the last few weeks is that the media doesn’t seem to care about the Australian bush.
He’s now hoping his campaign will catch the attention of mainstream TV media outlets like 60 Minutes to help raise broader awareness of the communities’ plight.
“I really think this whole thing needs exposure – people don’t even know about what’s going on there right now.
“I’ll get an airplane and we’ll go see some farmers. Until you get up in the air, you can’t fathom how catastrophic this was.
“And these guys had no chance. They got told they would have 300mm, they got 600mm and it rained for five days. That’s why they couldn’t get in the air to save cattle.”
The big-hearted truckie has also put the call out for furniture, fridge van and food donations from the respective majors and already got a call back from Nolan’s Interstate Transport putting their hand up to help.
“I don’t want to step on any toes. I just want to get out everywhere that’s gone under water and not got power.”
Jennings said as long as there is hay to cart, he won’t stop.
“This has been the hardest moment in my life – I’ve cried, I’ve seen Lifeline sitting there talking to people in towns, it’s very emotional.
“But aside from marrying my wife and seeing my daughter come into the world, this has also been the proudest moment in my life.”
[signup]
The post Hay run hero says flood-ravaged Queensland farmers still need help appeared first on Big Rigs.