FOR the second time in his young life Riley McIntosh, 14, is carting water to those in need. With the help of his father, Rod, and a group of friends, the youngster has most recently come to the aid of the parched township of Pooncarie. Photo: PAUL MENSCH

By MADISON EASTMOND

FOR the second time in his young life Riley McIntosh, 14, is carting water for those in need.

Inspired by family friend Gordon Parson, who has been involved in ‘Hay Runs’ since 1995, Riley decided to make a trip to help those “doing it tough.”

Riley, who recently made a run to White Cliffs when the town had just 60 days of water left, has now been able to raise $4700 through his GoFundMe page to make the trip from Warragul to the struggling Pooncarie township.

With the help of his father, Rod and friends Vyn Harris, Wayne Henry and Gordon Parsons, Riley has been able to provide drought-stricken areas with more than 75,000 litres of water. 

Now coming to the end of his second run, Riley said that he wanted to thank Judy and Ron from the Sunraysia Drought Relief Group, and Vinne, Wayne and Josh at the pub for their help.

“I’m doing this because they’re doing it tough up there…the surrounding areas too,” he said.

Riley’s family, friends and community couldn’t be more proud, and while the youngster has to get back to school, a third relief effort could be on the cards. 

“He is so inspiring. An amazing lad. We are all very proud,” Sunraysia’s Drought Relief Group member Judy Collingburn said. 

Donations are now closed, but efforts to restart a new donation campaign are under way. 

Readers can like or follow Riley’s Facebook page ‘Riley’s Run with Water for Outback Communities in a Water Crisis’ for further updates.