SO IMPRESSED is Dick Smith with the work of farm charity Aussie Helpers that he’s donating a whopping $1 million, and he wants others to follow his lead.
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It’s the largest donation that Dick Smith Foods, which donates all profits to charity, has ever made and it’s the largest donation Aussie Helpers founder Brain Egan has received.
“I encourage all Australians to dig deep this Christmas and give to Aussie Helpers – its the best present you can give,” Mr Smith said.
He said Aussie Helpers founder Brian Egan was a “great Australian” for his contribution to farm communities.
Mr Egan was over-awed by Mr Smith’s “generosity”. He was asked to come to Sydney for a media event under Sydney Harbour Bridge to receive a cheque of $200,000.
“I am still shaking. I’ve never held a million-dollar cheque before. This amount will change people’s lives for sure,” Mr Egan said.
The funds would allow Aussie Helpers to assist more than 1000 farm families, who are facing yet another festive season in drought.
Mr Egan said North West NSW farmers are still battling crippling conditions in places including Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Wanaaring.
Aussie Helpers was established by Mr Egan in 2002. He and his wife formed the charity after losing their farm due to drought, following which Mr Egan suffered depression.
Since the charity began it has given away $5 million in donated assets, predominantly groceries, stockfeed and fuel vouchers.
Dick Smith’s Aussie food company is not for profit, wholly locally grown and manufactured. It produces a range of supermarket sold food including jams, spreads, tomato sauce, cereal and canola oil.
Dick Smith followed the lead of Hollywood star turned condiment maker Paul Newman by donating all profits to charity.
He aims to match Newman’s Own brand, which has donated $18m to charity in Australia – currently Dick Smith Foods has given away more than $6m.