This weekend he will fire up his old truck to join the Need For Feed Disaster Relief crew - his third trip with them this year - on a hay run to western NSW.

Jim, who has recovered from two bouts of cancer and a few scares with his heart health, says he's always been a believer in giving back and that feeling has only heightened over the years.

He says he is always blown away by the extraordinary lengths people will go to to help others.

"People's generosity just astounds me at times - so it's the least I can do to support that," Jim says.

The October 24-25 hay run has been named in honour of valued volunteer Buster Ryan, of Leeton, who tragically passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a workplace accident last week.

This weekend would have been the fifth hay run for Buster and his wife Sue, who first came across Need For Feed through their Yanco Lions Club, which catered for a Father's Day Hay Run at Narrandera in 2018.

The couple had been "really looking forward to" this hay run, according to Need For Feed founder Graham Cockerell.

"One of life's true gentlemen" is how Buster was described in a tribute on the Need For Feed Facebook page.

"Other people would tell of long conversations over a beer or a coffee, and how 'he could talk the leg off an iron pot'.

(But) the most common thing said about Buster and Sue was what a great couple they were.

And now Need For Feed is working on how to honour Buster on his last hay run - a man who loved his trucks and his community.

A beautiful banner has been created that will lead the outback entourage.

The convoy of 22 trucks and three road trains will depart from Jerilderie Saleyards at 8am Saturday morning and detour through Narrandera for a 10am memorial service for Buster followed by morning tea with family and friends at Yanco Lions Club.

Mr Cockerell while it has rained in many places, there are still huge areas that missed out on the recent big storms and rainfall.

And while there may have been a green tinge in places, there's no substance to what's around and no way for farmers to make their own feed.

While it has rained in lots of places, there are still many areas that didn't get the bigger storms of late.

Most have a tinge of green but no real substance to what's on the ground so won't be in a position to make their own feed.

Need For Feed has been supporting communities and farmers across Victoria and further afield since 2006.

The story goes like this:

In December 2006, Graham Cockerell donated and delivered one truck load of hay, which was distributed by Cowwar Toongabbie Lions Club to farmers burnt out in their area.

The problem was that it was only five small bales of hay for each farmer so Graham returned to his home determined to round up others to help make a difference.

Neighbor Barry Medwin, who lost his wife and daughter in the 1983 Ash Wednesday Fires, donated the next semi-load of hay and Graham's Hot Rodding mate Doug Hamilton suggested a Bush Fire Benefit, which raised $23,000.

A local paper published a story on the events entitled 'Need For Feed' and the organisation was born.

Every year since funds have been raised for fire, drought and flood relief and Need For Feed has grown to become a major supplier of emergency fodder and transport, often outstripping state government and other agencies.

"We continue to raise funds to support all farmers in fire, drought and flood-affected areas each year as required as they struggle to rebuild properties and livelihoods in times of crisis and natural events," the organisation states.

Graham has collected remnants of hay donated from the Black Summer bushfires and stockpiled it ahead of this weekend's run, as well as bought in some extra fodder.

Need For Feed, now a national Lions Club project, has completed 15 hay runs this year; there are still many areas across Victoria, the south-east corner of NSW and into South Australia that are drought affected, he adds.

Graham estimates they have delivered 1500 truckloads of hay during this current drought and nearly half of that has been this year with 700 truckloads sent out after the fires.

But he says his main motivation during the past 14 years has been showing farming folk there are people out there who care.

"I'm from a farming background and I lost my father to suicide when I was young," Graham reveals.

"A big part of what we do is letting people who are doing it tough know someone out there cares.

"The mental health benefits (of these hay runs) are even more important to people living in remove areas where there is less person to person contact."

Graham admits the constraints of COVID-19 have made transport arrangements a bit trickier to manage but it hasn't deterred their efforts.

That's why people like Jim keep their rigs rolling to help.

He chuckles when asked how he feels about volunteering for a hay run over the AFL grand final weekend.

"My teams aren't it so I don't mind; but I know they are putting it up on a big screen at Cobar for us on Saturday night," Jim says.

"Then I'm hoping to make it in time to watch the NRL grand final in a mate's shed at Finley on Sunday."