4WDrivers give call out for Pyrmont charity

Later this year Scott and Rhonda Gibbons will pay $6,850 to spin the wheels of their 4WDs off the bitumen and into the bush.

They aren’t just paying for a holiday; they are supporting thousands of people kilometres away from their adventure who might not ever be able to drive.

There are over 300,000 disabled children under 15 in Australia; all of whom have extra needs on top of what a normal child does.

Scott and Rhonda are driving their 4WDs to help pay for all those needs, most of the cash doled out for the trip goes straight to Variety, a charity which supports children with special needs.

The couple are ranging around their home in Pyrmont trying to wrangle their neighbours and other 4WD enthusiasts for the charitable chase.

“We’re still trying to get people to join us, the GFC 2which is now running is causing a lot of people to keep their hands in their pockets,” they said.

“People must remember charities go through hard times just like the community.”

After many charities lost donation and had to cut costs during the Global Financial Crisis Scott and Rhonda believe offering 4WD trips through the bush and beach is a more encouraging way to get people to give.

Scott said it’s important to have different methods of donations for charities to keep their donors.

“You need to have a full palette, this [trip] is just one colour in that palette,” he said.

Reflecting on the comparison between Variety’s adventure and the disabilities of the children they are helping, the couple said they felt the children had incredible needs and so they should do something incredible.

“We feel lucky. If you wake up every morning alive then you’re doing something good.”

The Variety 4WD Adventure goes from the South West Rocks in NSW to Dorrigo It takes place over six days, from November 6th – 11th, 2011 and will cover 1, 615 kilometres.