Indeed the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners founder has succumbed to his “softer” side after 200 plush toys were donated to the cause ahead of a Christmas run to outback farming families.

The soft and cuddly items, donated by a generous Yackandandah resident, come from a deceased estate and are quite valuable.

The gorgeous toys, unique and individually sealed, are certain to bring a smile to the faces of children in drought-ravaged families in remote NSW and Queensland.

Mr Farrell will head off on the toy run between December 12 and 20 to bring a little Christmas cheer to outlying properties, remote schools and communities.

While the route is still to be determined, one could well imagine the normally brusque truckie is secretly practising his best “Ho, Ho, Ho” and “Merry Christmas” greetings as he endeavours to remind farmers they have not been forgotten by their fellow Aussies.  

On Monday, Mr Farrell accepted a donation from students at Holy Spirit primary school Lavington and is set to address Murray High School students later this month.

The community continues to rally to the hay runners’ cause with a recent Thurgoona trivia night, organised by Carmel Hickey, raising nearly $6500 and a host of events organised across the country ahead of the 2019 hay run.

Meanwhile “Bumpa”, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday honours this year, won’t be anywhere near Canberra come Australia Day 2019.

He will again lead a convoy of trucks, this time bound for Quilpie in Queensland, to deliver hay and hope to stricken farmers.