When Mooi River resident Casey Ferrow turned her thoughts into actions, she was overwhelmed with the generous outpouring of support from locals.

Hearing about the people and animals facing severe drought conditions, with death and despair being the faces of this worst drought in 20 years, Casey was consumed with thoughts about how she can make a difference.

Then she heard about the Watershare Project on East Coast Radio, which encourages people to donate water, tap or bottled, to be distributed to people and animals in need.

“I feel so sorry for all the people and animals without water and kept thinking how I would love to donate water to help those in need and I was sure I was not the only one who felt the same way, but living so far away was a bit of a problem,” explained Casey.

Nevertheless, she put her plan in action, deciding to join the Watershare Project.

“I contacted our local courier company, Mid Deliveries, and asked if I could get the community to donate enough water, would they be willing to deliver the water to East Coast Radio on our behalf.

They very kindly agreed,” said Casey.

The next step was to rope in the support of the community and for this; Casey took to social media by posting her plea for sealed, bottled water for distribution to people and any and all containers of water for distribution to animals.

Casey then contacted humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers who are assisting with the water distribution.

Within no time, donations started pouring in and in just one day a total of 426 litres of sealed, bottled water was collected.

This was sent to East Coast Radio for distribution to drought-stricken areas.
“Our little community really has opened their hearts and wallets.

We have received an overwhelming response of water donations in just one day.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has been so kind and generous,” Casey said.

You can still contribute bottled or tap water for people and animals affected by drought.

Water donations can be dropped off at the Tracar office in Mooi River, which is a Gift of the Givers collection point.