The Penrith Panthers have upped their donation to The Big Dry drought appeal to a whopping $200,000.

Macquarie Media, Fairfax Media and Buy A Bale have launched the appeal as the drought across New South Wales and Queensland continues to worsen. 

Last week, Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher committed $100,000 to the cause.

This week Penrith Panthers General Manager Phil Gould has pledged a further $100,000 to our struggling farmers.

He tells Ray Hadley his club has a strong connection with the bush and will do whatever they can to help out.

“We’re looking to send some money out into the Central West of New South Wales where we have a great affiliation out there through the rugby league program that we run.

“More importantly just to keep raising awareness and keep people alert to the fact that they’re doing it really tough out west and need our support.

“It’s a significant amount of money but it’s certainly not enough. We need to keep raising awareness.

“A lot of boys from our club are out west. Kaide Ellis and Isaah Yeo, in our current first grade side,  are from out Dubbo.

“They regularly tell us how tough things are out there on the farms and we want to do all we can to help.

Kaide Ellis and Isaah Yeo

Ray also commends Gould, who was on the Immortals judging panel, for their decision to honour five players rather than two.

Dally Messenger, Dave Brown, Frank Burge, Norm Provan and Mal Meninga were all elevated to Immortals status at a ceremony on Wednesday.

Ray tells the Panthers boss it was an inspired choice.

“We knew it was a good news story at the time.

“We appreciated the NRL… it probably took them a little bit by surprise, but once the matter was raised and we all discussed it we knew it was the right thing to do.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview

Images: Penrith Panthers

Donate to The Big Dry Drought Appeal HERE