{"id":58512,"date":"2014-02-25T21:14:38","date_gmt":"2014-02-25T11:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=58512"},"modified":"2014-02-26T23:45:48","modified_gmt":"2014-02-26T13:45:48","slug":"lifeline-extends-drought-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/02\/25\/lifeline-extends-drought-appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Lifeline Extends Drought Appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Windmill\"<\/a>
With 65 per cent of Queensland now in drought, Lifeline is extending its drought appeal<\/figcaption><\/figure>February 25, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today the first donations collected in the Lifeline Drought Appeal were credited to the accounts of farmers in Western Queensland needing assistance. <\/p>\n

Since the appeal started four weeks ago, Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Ltd have received over $50,000 in donations.<\/p>\n

“While donations have been strong we have been flooded with applications, with many families struggling to provide basic services,” Lifeline CEO Derek Tuffield said. <\/p>\n

“One family described how all their funds were going to provide water and feed to livestock. They are struggling to put food on their table. <\/p>\n

“Their children’s future is also suffering because they study through distance education and the internet has been disconnected. <\/p>\n

“This is just one example. There are many graziers who were running well over 200 breeders two years ago who are struggling to keep 30 alive today. <\/p>\n

“Some rain last week heightened spirits but it was patchy and certainly was not drought-breaking.”<\/p>\n

While funds donated have been able to help some families, there are many more on the waiting list. <\/p>\n

For this reason Lifeline is still asking people to put their support behind the Lifeline Drought Appeal 2014.<\/p>\n

Donations will ensure that Lifeline can help to:<\/p>\n