IT’S the rally which has made millions for a bunch of Australian charities and now it’s making tracks to Tamworth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 2017 Road Boss Rally will kick into gear in Gladstone on July 10 before making a rough, rollicking round trip to Tamworth, via Boulia in western Queensland.
The annual charity trek prides itself on taking the beaten-track and in its 30th year will be donating its proceeds to GIVIT, a charity linking essential goods to those hit by natural disasters and poverty over the internet.
“From Winton to Stonehenge, Toompine to Lightning Ridge, we’ll be taking 10 days to cover 4000km of the toughest back roads throughout the region – with a couple of nights at the Boulia Camel Races thrown into the mix,” rally organiser Jamie Lawson said.
To date, the rally has raised $15 million for charities over the years.
Mr Lawson said the Road Boss Rally would be living up to its mantra of “driving to make a difference” by helping communities along the way.
“It’s not just about the tens of thousands of dollars that the rally participants spend in local towns, or the fact that we pay local suppliers and community groups to keep us fed and look after us,” Mr Lawson said.
“As we’re teaming up with GIVIT, we’re also going to be finding out exactly what’s needed by people doing it tough in the communities we visit and we’re going to help them get what they need.”
After meandering through communities in far-western Queensland, the rally will eventually cross the border on its way to Lightning Ridge, followed by Boggabri and then on to the finish-line in Tamworth.
At the end of the 4000 kilometer trek, the 180 drivers will be met at the finish line by GIVIT chief executive officer Juliette Wright in the country music capital on Thursday, July 20.
Mrs Wright’s charity received $250,000 last year when it was also the beneficiary of the rally.
“I couldn’t believe it when Jamie Lawson handed me a cheque for $250,000 dollars – I actually had tears in my eyes,” Mrs Wright said.
“Since Tropical Cyclone Debbie and the resulting floods struck Queensland and northern New South Wales, we’ve been putting that donation to good use helping thousands of people get what they need when they need it most.”