Backed to the hilt

By Bridget Brady
VOLUNTEERS who rallied to help an elderly Cranbourne horse lover gathered for a snag on the weekend.
George Smith and animal welfare worker Barrie Tapp organised the barbecue as a way of saying thanks to the numerous volunteers who offered to help the passionate horse lover and self-confessed “horse whisperer”.
Mr Smith, who has bone cancer, said he found it too difficult of late to care for the seven horses on his property.
His horses, Mr Smith said, were the reason he got out of bed every day.
Since the News reported Mr Smith’s plea for help, Mr Tapp received more than 100 calls from people willing to volunteer.
A roster has been set up for volunteers to help Mr Smith on his property.
More than 60 volunteers who donated their time for Mr Smith attended the barbecue on Saturday and the donations kept rolling in.
The Good Guys donated a heater to Mr Smith, and a skip was also donated.
“It was a magic day,” Mr Tapp said.
“I am still trying to get my head around the huge response.”
Mr Smith said he was over the moon with the response from the community.