TWO men who lost everything they needed for an 11-day charity drive to North Queensland are back on the road, thanks to the generosity of Tamworth residents.
Geoff and Troy Campbell’s old Holden Commodore was destroyed by fire after vandals broke into the car and took cash, credit cards and expensive personal gear needed for the Cystic Fibrosis Great Escape rally.
The rally is due to start in the city today, and, thanks to a good deal from a local motor dealer and donations from others, the Griffith men will take their place at the start.
Months of hard work turned to ash for Geoff Campbell on Sunday night, when police told him his car had been burnt out.
A quiet dinner with family at the West Tamworth League Club was interrupted by a phone call from Tamworth police, who said his car had been torched and completely destroyed at the Southgate Inn car park.
Geoff soon realised that not only had he lost his wacky old Holden Commodore wagon, dubbed Lowrider II, but the $950 in cash and fuel cards in the vehicle would also be gone, along with his video cameras, laptop, fridge and swags.
“The car was not insured,” he said.
Geoff and his cousin Troy Campbell had planned to ride together from Tamworth to Port Douglas as part of the rally.
Both are veterans of the cause to raise as much money as possible for cystic fibrosis awareness.
Geoff has participated in all 10 drives, and Troy has been a supporter of at least five.
But never have they been faced with malicious damage.
“Kids sometimes don’t know what they’re doing and the consequences,” Geoff said.
“We can’t do much about it. Life goes on.”
Also affected were his cousins Wayne and Debbie Campbell. Their vehicle was burnt on one side, but it is still roadworthy.
Keeping positive yesterday, Geoff and Troy went to Andrew McGuirk Motors, where they forked out $2000 for a 1999 Ford Falcon so they could still participate.
Geoff said he began supporting the rally after taking part in one for kidney disease more than a decade ago.
Rally participants said there was a dampened mood yesterday when many of the 48 participating cars from across the country paraded from Tourism Tamworth to Tamworth South Public School.
Former Bingara resident Roz Thompson, who is riding in the bright pink Crew Tu-Tu mobile, said she felt “absolutely sick” when she heard the news.
“This is the first time in the history of the whole rally that something like this has happened,” she said.
“We go to so much trouble to fundraise.”
Rally ambassador Teresa Carlson said “everyone is gutted”.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief Terry Stewart thanked members of the Tamworth community, including A4e Australia and Andrew McGuirk Motors, for donating swags and car tools to the Campbells yesterday.
“In only a day, we were able to secure everything the Campbells need,” he said.
“Tamworth has been most gracious.
“I can’t understand why anyone would want to torch a car, but to torch a car that is raising money for children with cystic fibrosis is unforgivable.”
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