Ready to roll: Bill and Cheryl Randall with ‘The Flying Scotsman’, complete with their mascot, Maggie, on the roof.
YOU won’t miss the Variety 4WD Charity Adventure when it comes through Tamworth in March – just listen for Manilla couple Bill and Cheryl Randall’s bagpipes.
The Randalls are part of this year’s Coal to Gold Adventure, from March 11 to 16, and will have their Landcruiser decked out in a Scottish theme, complete with Bill’s bagpipes.
This is the seventh Variety 4WD Charity Adventure for the Randalls, missing just one since the event’s inception, and they have raised more than $50,000 in that time.
The Randalls always adopt a Scottish theme for their Landcruiser, nicknaming it The Flying Scotsman and securing a kid’s pedal train to the roof “driven” by their mascot, Maggie.
Bill is the pipe major for the Manilla Caledonian Pipe Band and his bagpipes have become somewhat of a tradition on the annual trip.
Their vehicle is also fitted with speakers, so when the Variety convoy rolls into each of its destinations, they do so serenaded by bagpipe music from The Flying Scotsman.
This year’s adventure starts in Singleton on Monday, before moving onto Tamworth, Manilla, the Warrumbungles and Coonabarabran, the Pilliga area, Dubbo, Parkes, Orange and, finally, Bathurst.
While in Tamworth the group will visit Bullimbal special school, where a $3000 donation of sporting equipment will be made, and in Manilla a morning tea has been organised atop picturesque Mt Borah.
Mrs Randall said they were passionate supporters of Variety and each adventure reignited their enthusiasm for the cause.
“The highlight for us is visiting the schools and kids along the way and being able to see how and where our donations are being spent,” she said.
“As we have been blessed with five healthy grandchildren, we are keen to give back and help others less fortunate.”
The couple’s fundraising efforts this year have been particularly inspired by a Variety donation to young Manilla boy Rhys Kaluder of an $18,000 prosthetic arm late last year.
If you would like to help the Randalls with their fundraising for this year’s trip, go to their website at everydayhero.com.au/randall
