Emily Patterson is the force behind the 2018 Canberra Hay Runners Ball and Auction which will be held on September 1 at the Canberra Southern Cross Club in Phillip.

"I've always been a person who has been involved in what I can do and helped out when I can,'' she said.

Tickets have been selling fast and the Canberra community has responded in gusto - with even a horse donated for the auction on the night.

"I had an offer on Wednesday from a lady who wants offer a horse to auction on the night,'' Emily said.

An admin worker with the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society,  Emily says it is easy in Canberra to be sheltered from the harsh realities of the drought. But the huge human toll of the drought was being played out just beyond its borders.

"I've had family friends in Yass who have had a sheep property for 27 years but had to sell up last month,'' she said.

The former St Francis Xavier College and Gungahlin College student said she couldn't ignore the distressing stories being shared on social media and in the general media about the impact of the drought across NSW.

She is working with the organisation Aussie Helpers to raise money for hay runs to farmers most in need.

"If we don't get more rain soon we will be in a bad way as well so if we can help other farmers this time, they will help us when we need it,'' she said.

Turning 19 in October, Emily said people were surprised to learn how old she was - "It's usually the first thing they mention'' - but she was determined to raise more than $30,000 for feed for starving stock.

"It started as me wanting to do something small but it's got bigger than Ben Hur,'' she said.

The ball will be on Saturday, September 1 at the Southern Cross Club in Phillip from 6pm to midnight.

Tickets are available here:
https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/787N9W/