The Randalls are wending their way down to Port Melbourne in their distinctive, kitted-out ride they call The Flying Scotsman to join the fundraising convoy.

It’s their 11^th Variety 4WD Adventure, and will be a six-day trek with other 4WD enthusiasts, taking in the sights and tastes of the Apple Isle after a Bass Strait crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania.

The event raises money for children with special needs across Australia, and Mrs Randall said it was always the social highlight of their year.

Over the past decade they’ve raised about $60,000, and this year their goal is at least $3000.

“We generally finish our donations once the event starts – but I’m always prone to accept donations any time they come in,” she said.

“I run a lot of raffles with donations from local businesses, and I can turn $200 of raffle goods into $2000 very easily.”

Mrs Randall said the participants always paid a visit to a school along the way, to make a donation that would help students with disadvantage or special needs.

This year they’ll be popping in to Westerway Primary School, which has just 74 students, to donate a $5000 swing set.

“The money we raise also goes into the Variety grants kitty, which gives out $1 million a month to special needs and disadvantaged kids, and a lot of that money is channelled back to rural areas,” she said.

“It’s often a family’s last resort, when they’ve exhausted all other avenues of getting help.”

Mrs Randall said the grants were about “just helping kids be kids”, and some examples were accessible playground equipment such as liberty swings, or aqua wheelchairs to help children get the full experience of going to the beach.

But it’s not all serious – Mrs Randall said the participants had a ball, with themed dress-up nights and other antics along the way.

“There’s a nautical night because we’re going over on the ship – I’m going as Popeye and my ever-suffering husband is going as Olive Oyl,” she said.

Mrs Randall said that, one year, The Flying Scotsman had become a bit stranded on a water crossing, earning itself the title of Scotch on the Rocks.