A group of Indian-Australian walkers will take part in a charity walk that will commence from Parramatta, Sydney and end in Canberra.
The volunteers are expected to reach Canberra on 1st October after walking for over 350 kilometres, beginning this Saturday.
Members of the ‘Our Farmers Our Pride - Walk for Farmers' group will pass through five regional centres of New South Wales- Bowral, Mossvale, Goulbourn, Collector and Yass, on their way to Canberra.
The event is organised by the United Indian Associations (UIA) - an organisation serving the Indian diaspora in Australia by engaging in social and community development works.
Its President, Sreeni Pillamarri, has invited members of the local community to join this initiative for a ‘noble cause’.
“Our country’s economy and prosperity depends on farmlands, and today we have a situation on hand which needs to be addressed as citizen and residents of this country,” he said in a social media statement.
“Every effort will be made to create awareness for help. The team plans to collect donations from both the Indian Diaspora and Australian community to support the Australian farmers.”
Farmers in NSW and other states continue to battle a crippling drought which many locals are calling the worst since 1902.
UIA raised $5000 for NSW Farmers and presented the cheque during the Mateship Fair in Parramatta in August 2018. Source: Supplied
Indian community leader, Dr Jagvinder Singh Virk told SBS that the purpose of this charity walk is to morally and financially support NSW’s farming sector.
“Our efforts have been acknowledged by the Federal government and many local MPs who have openly come forward to show their support for this charity event,” he said.
“Any small help is welcome as we hope to raise between $100,000 to $250,000 through this effort in the next 10 days.”
Mr Virk said the funds raised will go towards the farmers who have been severely hit by one of the worst droughts of this century.
The walk will pass through 5 regional centres of NSW - Bowral, Mossvale, Goulbourn, Collector and Yass, on its way to Canberra. Source: Supplied
"It is our duty to help them when they need it the most," he said.
“We’ll walk through the communities that are suffering due to drought-like conditions. The walk distance is estimated to be around 350kms to 380kms.
“The volunteers will maintain an average distance of 35 kilometres per day, and we hope to meet the target timeline within the next 10 days.
“It’s not going to be easy for the volunteers. It’ll be a tough task to finish. The Walk Team will be accompanied by some support workers and medical staff who will provide help throughout this 10-day journey.
They're expected to finish their journey in Canberra on Monday 1st October where they’ll be joined by the members of UIA and other members of the community.
Mr Virk told SBS that the group will make the final trip to Canberra Parliament House on 2nd October, where they will be greeted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“The Walk Team along with the organisers will hand over the donation cheque to the Prime Minister for the help of drought-stricken NSW farmers,” he said.
“We’re very thankful to a local businessman from Lebanese community who has donated $5000 towards our charity event.”
Mr Virk also requested various Hindu and Sikh organisations to come forward to support the cause.
Nông gia đang cho gia súc ăn tại Langawirra Station, phía Bắc Broken Hill. Source: AAP
“Now is the time - it’s our duty to pay back to this country. We know that the Muslim community has immensely contributed by delivering the truck-loads of hay to the affected areas.
"I am glad that the Sikh community is also coming forward through various charity events. I’ve heard that a Gurdwara [Sikh Temple] in Melbourne is also raising funds to support this noble cause.”
