This support started out with a load of hay to one struggling farmers and from there it has grown over the year.

Thanks to the generosity of the Singleton community and the determination of good friends, Malcolm Causley and John Bavea, a number of Christmas hampers were delivered to thirty farming families in the small village of Ben Lomond.

Times have been tough for the sheep and cattle producers on Maybole Road, Ben Lomond and this is the third time assistance has been offered.

The first trip involved the delivery of a truckload of hay to one particular farmer who was running out of options when it came to feeding is breeding stock.

Then after they unloaded the hay, Mr Causley anonymously dropped off a bag of dog food and chocolates at every mailbox along the road.

After their first trip to the area, The Singleton Argus was contacted by members of the close-knit community wishing to express their gratitude.

“The district has received some good rain in the past month but farm water supplies remain low. The district has received approximately half their average annual rainfall this year,” Mr Causley says.

“We delivered the thirty hampers on Sunday and they included a Christmas cake, plum pudding, lollies, soap, tooth paste, dish washing liquid, a calendar, laundry powder and a card expressing Christmas Greetings from the residents of Singleton.”

“The Singleton Uniting Church, Majestic Cinemas, Chemmart Pharmacy, the Lions Club and Blooms the Chemist all donated items to be included in Christmas hampers.”