It doesn't take a lot to get involved in the Variety Bash. Photos / Burnt Hill Studio/ Jacqui Madelin
It doesn't take a lot to get involved in the Variety Bash. Photos / Burnt Hill Studio/ Jacqui Madelin
Car lovers who've followed the 2015 Bash Diaries and are keen to join the next Variety Trillian Bash - with its unbeatable blend of fun-loving road trip, child-pleasing antics, and the feel-good factor from giving disadvantaged kids a hand-up - can do so without breaking the bank, according to Judy Leishman.
She and her husband, Pete, run the Stihl Shop Silverdale 'Where's Wally' fundraising team, and recently had to find a replacement for their classic 'Bash' car, thus proving the point with a Thunderbirds-themed Ford Falcon, and a fresh set of costumes to suit.
The Bash road rally has several functions. It's a flag-waver for Variety - The Children's Charity. It's something of a travelling entertainers circus, to suit the charity's theatrical roots. It delivers grants to kids in need, it helps fire participants into renewed fundraising, and it's a reward to those participants for all their fundraising work throughout the year, hence the interesting routes and activities along the way.
Photo / Burnt Hill Studio
Each participant must commit to raising a hefty donation to the charity - at least $2000 per person as a guideline, plus costs. And each team must commit to riding aboard a classic car, or one with an entertaining theme.
Many teams raise more than that minimum, but it can be hard work - especially for some of the fire engines, with large crews aboard.
Bash director Murray O'Donnell says the key is to get a good group of mates together, and ensure every one of them pulls their weight with fundraising. "Some teams do it via sponsorship and some are self funded. Some run golf days and pub quizzes, themed nights and sausage sizzles, and most find venues happy to come to an arrangement - we have volunteers who can assist with advice."
Photo / Burnt Hill Studio
As for the vehicles, classic-car owners needn't go for crazy paint or permanent adaptations as long as they're happy to theme themselves - Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter drive a Mustang, while the Tiki Girls use a partial decorative wrap on their 1961 EK Holden, their appeal as much from their Hogwarts uniforms and associated props aboard the roof rack.
This year Judy and Pete, usually aboard a Pontiac loaded with friends in red-and-white 'Where's Wally' stripes, bought a year-2000 Falcon wagon with over 400,000km on the clock, "It was an ex rep car that cost us $1000 and a second-hand lawnmower." They planned the Thunderbirds theme, "it has relevance for adults, and kids with the new film coming up. The rubberized paint and bits and pieces cost us around $2000 - the Thunderbird four on top was made by a friend for free, and comes off the roof rack so we can use the car between events, the marine speakers behind the grille cost about $69 and the extra CD for the soundtrack was $79. Then the Virgil suits were $40 a pop from Aussie, Parker's suit came from the op shop and so did the Lady Penelope outfits. Brains wore a lab coat, then it was $2 shop wigs and pearls and we were done." The outfits will work year after year, and the car cost around $3000 total in Bash trim and is cheaper to run, and maintain, than their Pontiac did. "There are pluses to a late-model car, but you do need a theme to get it past the entry criteria."
Whangarei's Ian Macartney also went for a modern car when he sold his Taniwha-themed Jeep. "I need it to be a daily driver, I can't afford a classic or fire engine that sits all year and gets used just for two events." He bought a 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser, with $670 of red-painted embellishments, LED amber lights, carbon dioxide bottles to make 'smoke' that Firewatch in Whangarei filled for free to support the charity, an old fire siren, and an external sound system, which was the most expensive part of the total. "A light bar you're talking $1000 or more, but there's a fire siren on Trade Me right now for $380." The Transformers suits cost $80 for Optimus Prime and $500 for Bumblebee, he found helmets with voice synth and a truck that converts to a gun for under $20, and he and two business mates were set.
"For someone wanting to get into it the trick is a theme kids will like, and some imagination. Look at Ewen Gilmour, his van wasn't special, but as soon as the kids spotted all those Overage Mutant Ninja Turtles, they were captivated, and it's the same for Transformers."
Got a few friends who like the sound of the Variety Trillian Bash, are happy to team up to raise funds for disadvantaged kids, and got a bit of imagination? Give it a go - there's a three-day Mini Bash each October for those wanting to try it out, with the next seven-day Bash in March 2016.
