THE 2015 Drover’s Run left Tamworth yesterday morning in a blaze of red and yellow, accompanied by a chorus of novelty horns and plenty of cheering.
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Raising money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, the 4WD adventure will take in about 4000km in the next 13 days and is now in its third year.
Last night the 25 teams spent the night at Grawin, enjoying the hospitality of the famed “Club in the Scrub”, before heading off this morning bound for Cunnamulla.
Birdsville is the halfway mark where participants will spend a few days taking in the sights, before heading for home.
Innamincka, Camerons Corner and Whitecliffs are also on the itinerary, as well as travel through a number of private properties where few ever have the opportunity to go.
Inverell couple Jeff and Sue Lowe couldn’t wait for the fun to begin on Saturday afternoon, where teams and their vehicles gathered at the Tamworth helicopter base for a special community event.
The Lowes said their home town was right behind their adventure, and their vehicle, which has been decked out in the chopper colours, had drawn plenty of attention.
“We’ve been getting a lot of questions about what we’re doing and why and have received a lot of sponsorship support,” Mr Lowe said.
“Inverell’s a big user of the helicopter – it was in town twice last week.”
Graeme and Wendy Mudge, of Tamworth, said they were looking forward to their first big trip since Graeme’s retirement and, like the Lowes, were raring to go on Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to seeing country I haven’t seen before, and the rescue helicopter is just such a good cause,” Mrs Mudge said.
The chance to explore more remote parts of the country as a group was part of the appeal.
“Being able to do this with other people is a great opportunity – it will be a lot of fun,” Mrs Lowe said.
Before the group even left yesterday, the 2015 Drover’s Run had already exceeded $100,000 in funds raised for the service.
The teams return to Tamworth, via Coolah, on Friday, August 14.