Shannon Noll supports new drought aid appeal
Tuesday, 29 May 2007

Singer and former NSW country boy, Shannon Noll, is supporting a national drought relief initiative called Rainy Day to raise funds for farming families badly hit by the ongoing drought.
Comprising The Rainy Day National Appeal and the Rainy Day Benefit Dinner at the Sydney Hilton on Thursday, June 14, the fundraising initiative aims to unite all Australians in recognising and supporting farming families and communities dealing with drought.

Shannon Noll said he understood too well the devastating consequence of drought having grown up in the Condobolin district of Central West NSW.

"This is the worst drought we have ever experienced and it doesn't matter how good a farmer you are, you can only cope with that sort of thing for so long," he said.

The Rainy Day scheme was formed by a group of young professionals, mainly Sydneysiders originally from the country, to address the plight of drought-affected farming families with the dual aim of raising awareness and funds to support rural communities worst hit.

"We are thrilled to have Shannon's support. Having also grown up in country NSW, I can concur with his sentiment on what these rural communities are dealing with," Roz Escott-Gregory, Rainy Day committee chairperson, said.

"The statistics are very alarming with mental health issues such as rural suicide on the rise."

Rainy Day will be officially launched at the Rainy Day Benefit Dinner at Sydney's Hilton Hotel.

Donations can be made at barnches of the Commonwealth Bank. Rainy Day is also partnering with the Salvation Army and the NSW Department of Primary Industry to distribute all monies raised.

* To make a donation or book a table for the benefit dinner please visit, www.rainyday.org.au