YOU’VE heard of the hay runners, now the pumpkin runners have come to Armidale and Tamworth in their chariot to spread their message of giving.
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With a horse float full of pumpkins in tow, the Pathfinders Pumpkin Run travelled from Tilbuster Station with young people they were working with, to cook up pumpkin soup and distribute pumpkins and potatoes.
The Pathfinders Tilbuster Station working farm is for disadvantaged young people.
They participate in a range of agricultural, horticultural and trade skills programs, such as crop and vegetable production, animal husbandry, beef cattle production, fencing, welding and building construction.
The annual Pumpkin Run entails these young people travelling to Sydney to lend a helping hand to homeless youths in the city by delivering pumpkins and other produce, as well as cooking hot meals for those in need.
They have delivered more than nine tonnes of pumpkins over three years, and this is their second time to Tamworth.
Nat Keuntje and Andrew Peacock are two of the young people helped at Tilbuster and travelling with the Pumpkin Run.
Andrew said he had been working at the station for four months, after being in a refuge in Armidale because he was homeless.
“They helped get me out of there and have been helping me get work and be job-ready,” he said.
“I have loved just getting back out to the country and getting away from all the drama.
“The biggest thing I’ve learnt is that what goes around, comes around.”
Nat said he also loved working on the land, and was working at a banana farm on the Gold Coast.
“I was also in a refuge and got introduced to Tilbuster and I started going out there and working on the farm,” he said.
“I’m not getting into trouble now, and am learning new skills and respecting people. I have a better future now.”
The Pumpkin Run will conclude at Government House with an afternoon tea with NSW Governor General David Hurley.
