Macquarie Correctional Centre staff and inmates have raised more than $7000 for Wellington's struggling farmers with an aim to helping pay for feed for their livestock.
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The centre has raised $7,300 in funds through a number of fundraising programs, including opening up the purchase of 'charity chocolates' in the prison's buy-up system, an inmate staffed and purchased grocery store located within the centre.
The money raised will be donated to Tommy's Hay Run, an effort organised by local tradie Tommy Partridge to co-ordinate purchases of hay for drought-stricken farms.
"We decided to donate to Tommy's Hay Run, Feed for Aussie Farmers because we wanted to help farmers who are struggling with the drought conditions here on the Western Plains," Correctional Officer Katie Shepard said.
Officer Shepard says the entirety of the funding will go toward the effort.
"One hundred percent of these funds will go to buying hay for our drought-stricken farmers who need this to help keep their livestock alive."
Correctional Services officer Robert New highlighted the donation effort as an example of how correctional services can help the community.
"Both the staff and inmates really wanted to do something to help our farmers so it has been great that we have been able to raise this money for the benefit of our community," Mr New said.
"It's also a great opportunity for inmates who have friends and families in drought-affected areas to do something positive and feel as though they're contributing to their community."