BULL CREEK locals Gemma and Stuart Downie are not your typical off-road drivers, spending the majority of their cruising time on suburban streets.
But with the perfect vehicle, an experienced crew around them and a great cause to get behind, they are ready to the venture down paths less travelled.
The duo, together with Mrs Downie’s sister – Willagee local Justine Rosevear – and friend Karen Coleman, from Falcon, will be among the 20 cars navigating their way from Kalgoorlie to Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory to raise money for Variety WA.
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READ NOWHighlights of the Variety 4WD Challenge will include an opening cocktail function, schools visits, access to private 4WD tracks through Kings Creek, an overnight stay at Warakurna, a remote indigenous community, and a gourmet sunset dinner overlooking Uluru.
Mrs Downie and her husband do not have a stack of four-wheel driving experience.
But having sat on Variety’s grants committee for seven years, Mrs Downie said she had seen first-hand how events like this one had helped many sick and disadvantaged kids.
“I can see times have changed in terms of giving – it’s a different environment,” she said, hoping her contribution would make a difference.
Variety WA general manager Phil Croot said the week-long challenge, which starts May 27, was a popular event in the charity’s fundraising calendar.
For information visit www.varietywa.org.au.
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