Flood-ravaged northern NSW communities receive a convoy of care from Redhead

The generosity of his coastal community outstripped Matt Forde's highest hopes. On Saturday, he drove north, not with one loaded vehicle but in a convoy of care.

"We ended up getting so much, we had three vehicles," Mr Forde said.

The vehicles were packed with about $10,000 in items, from food and water to camping equipment, shopping vouchers and cash.

And all of it was collected in just a few days in Redhead's own home-grown flood appeal.

"I'm really proud of the response from our community," he said. "I'm proud of how friends and family have helped another community up the coast, who are in desperate need of it."

The home of Matt Forde's mother and the coffee van of his sister, Kylie Amos, became donation drop-off centres.

"My Mum's living room and garage were full of gear," Mr Forde said.

Kylie Amos, who operates the Boardwalk Brews coffee van in Redhead, was "overwhelmed" by the frequency, and the size, of the donations. One local gave $500 worth of supermarket and hardware vouchers.

Others came from further afield to give. A couple drove from Toronto to the coffee van to donate tinned food.

"People were just so generous," Mrs Amos said. "You could see people just wanted to help."

At Redhead Pharmacy, customers bought and donated enough items to fill seven large crates. Those goods ranged from medical items to nappies and toiletries bags. That part of the appeal had been initiated by another Redhead local, Deb Arthurs.

"It was phenomenal," Deb Arthurs said of the response. "It was common for people to donate $50 worth of goods.

"It's been an absolute privilege to be involved in this community donation project."

Another local who helped out was Mitch Samways, the owner of Lone Clothing Co. When he heard about what was happening, Mitch Samways offered to drive a van north.

"I've mates up there who have lost everything," he explained. "And I'm very, very lucky that I'm in a position to be able to drop everything and drop stuff off."

Which is what Mitch Samways did. While he had never met Matt Forde before, Mr Samways joined the convoy on Saturday afternoon. Driving another loaded vehicle was a friend of Kylie Amos, Tracey Keogh.

On Sunday, the convoy arrived in flood-ravaged communities near Ballina and delivered the donated goods to a community leader, who Matt Forde used to work with.

"They were just blown away," Mr Forde said. "And they asked us to pass on to every person who had contributed their appreciation and thanks."

Matt Forde said he would continue to support the northern New South Wales communities, and he was planning more trips. Mitch Samways said he would head north again with Mr Forde.

As for the response of his own community, and the generosity shown, Mr Samways said, "That's Redhead summed up."

Read more: Redhead's flood of kindness to flood north

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