The 2020 Variety Bash Adventure will begin in Bundaberg tomorrow with an eclectic mix of plus-30-year-old vehicles, family cars, 4WDs and everything in between hitting the road.
The annual event combines Australia’s longest-running charity motoring event, the Variety Bash, and the Variety 4WD Adventure.
These events have raised more than $24 million for Variety – the Children’s Charity since their inception in Queensland to help give Aussie kids a fair go – a legacy that will be continued this year with the combined event.
Complete with a tailored COVID-Safe plan, the 2020 Variety Bash Adventure, will travel from Bundaberg to Noosa via Nindigully between November 9 and 14, bringing joy and a much-needed economic boost to regional Queensland after a challenging year.
The event, comprised of over 100 vehicles, including 10 participants from Bundaberg and one from Agnes Water/1770, will immediately fund $118,000 in grants and scholarships for local kids and schools, including many along the way, helping to change the lives of over 1,700 kids who are living with sickness, disadvantage or disability.
Event proceeds will also help fund Variety’s grants and programs in 2021.
Among the grant recipients is Bundaberg State High School, which is set to receive two 25-seater Variety Sunshine Coaches, thanks to the dedicated fundraising efforts of Variety Bash Adventure team, Car 9 – The Avatars.
Over the past year, with generous support from Mr Tejpal Singh, the team have raised over $56,000 towards the coaches to transport students to the school’s alternative education program, IGNITE.
The program provides access to reduced class sizes and focused teaching strategies for students who are at risk of or have disengaged with mainstream education and students linked with the Youth Justice system.
On top of the assistance provided to local families and organisations, communities along the way including Bundaberg, Agnes Water/1770, Miles, Roma, Mitchell, Nindigully, Kingaroy and Noosa will also see a welcome economic injection of up to $180,000 from the event’s overnight stays.
Variety Queensland CEO Steve Wakerley said although it had been a challenging year, the fundraising teams were doing an amazing job for the 2020 Variety Bash.
“We’re really proud of what our fundraising teams are doing for families and towns that have been hit hard by the challenges of droughts, bushfires and COVID-19,” said Mr Wakerley.
“It’s more than just the economic impact, it’s also bringing excitement and joy back to these regional and rural communities who have had an especially tough year.”
Bundaberg State High School Principal Karen McCord agreed thanking the teams for their efforts.
“The two Variety Sunshine Coaches are going to make an enormous difference to the students attending our offsite IGNITE alternative education program – thank you,” said Ms McCord.
Even after the road-trippers return home, the positive impacts of the journey and their efforts will continue. Fundraising from the event will be used throughout the year by Variety to deliver more grants, programs, scholarships and experiences to promote inclusion across Queensland in 2021, reaching an estimated 6,500 kids and helping to unleash the magic in every child.
Thanks to sponsors including Blue Dog Training, Get Tools Direct, Bundaberg Regional Council and Seeley International who have all come on board to support 2020 Variety Bash.
To donate or register your interest for future events, click here.
Source: Bundaberg Now
