Sunrise and Today viewers suggest cash giveaways should be given to farmers

Sunrise and Today show viewers have banded together to suggest their favourite breakfast shows forgo cash giveaways and instead donate to the country’s struggling farmers.

The widespread pleas follow Channel Nine’s early morning offering awarding its largest ever cash prize this week—at a mammoth $250,000.

Funnelling cash elsewhere

But as much of New South Wales and Queensland continue to experience ‘catastrophic’ bushfires, many took to Facebook to instead suggest the money had better uses than a viewer giveaway.

“Call the farmers or donate all the money to them and people who have lost everything in these devastating fires,” one viewer suggested.

“How about tapping some over to a few farmers?” added another.

“You should donate all that cash to the bush fires that have had to suffer through horrendous condition losing homes.”

Fans band together

Following the calls to Today, another viewer pleaded to Sunrise directly and suggested the giveaways be re-structured to centre around Australians affected by the elements.

“Dear Sunrise Cash Cow and Channel Nine, I challenge you both to call a drought-affected farmer each day next month to give away the cash prizes to help lift the spirits of the struggl[ing] backbone of Australia,” they wrote.

However, Channel Nine was quick to defend their longstanding support of people suffering the near-unprecedented effects of severe weather, noting how the network already has a strategy in place to support those in need.

“Nine in partnership with Vinnies has launched a bushfire fund, which has so far raised nearly $1.5 million for those in need,” they said in a statement.

“Nine will also be broadcasting a telethon to raise money for farmers on Sunday, December 15.”

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com

Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.