PLACES are filling fast for the 27th instalment of the Western Australian Variety Bash, a seven day port to port rally to raise funds for WA kids in need.
Teams for this year’s instalment will take on the challenge to raise an $8,000 minimum donation to Variety WA, which can fundraised through individual charity events, car sponsorship and more. All crew members then pay for their own personal event expenses such as their essential pre-1985 vehicle, fuel and accommodation.
Bash coordinator Bill Chidgzey said the experience was a rewarding one for participants.
“All you need is a fun theme with costumes for your crew and car, a big sense of adventure and, most importantly, an even bigger heart to fundraise for WA kids in need,” he said.
This is the Bash which has raised over $22 million for WA kids since its inception in 1989.
Balingup locals Chris Spence and Edgar Hawter, who participated last year and plan to do it again in 2016, encourage people to get on board if they can.
The pair last year covered more than 5,000km in a 540cc car under the team name The Naughty Boys of Balingup, much of it on outback tracks.
“Part of our fundraising was that we had people who took bets as to whether we’d come back in the same car,” Mr Hawter said.
Mr Spence said that to everyone’s surprise, their vehicle won a trophy for most reliable car, after it was the only car on the journey that did not require assistance.
“The car started as a joke but gained a lot of credibility as time progressed,” he said.
“We raised in excess of $20,000.”
“If people choose to participate it’s a significant commitment, but the outcomes make it so worthwhile,” Mr Hawter said.
Mr Shedley said the cars stopped off every morning over the course of the event to deliver equipment and funding to communities and people in need.
“When the going gets tough, there’s nothing like starting every day seeing the response from people when they get that support,” he said.
2015 Variety ‘Bashers’ will help support three core programs – Variety Caring for Kids, Variety Future Kids and Variety Freedom. These programs allow Variety WA to deliver a range of equipment and experiences to support the specific needs of individual children such as nebulisers, electric beds, communication devices, tricycles and wheelchairs, as well as larger projects for schools and other children’s organisations.
Variety – the Children’s Charity celebrates 35 years of helping WA kids in need in 2015. To find out how you can secure your spot on this “bucket list” journey and help WA kids in need in the process, visit www.varietywa.org.au or contact (08) 9355 3655.
