Isuzu Trucks Backs The 2019 Variety Bash

Variety Bash passed through the beautiful outback once again in 2019. The first Variety Bash took place in 1985, started by Dick Smith to raise funds for Variety – the Children’s Charity.

This year the Variety Bash departed from Melbourne, Victoria, and made its way across the Nullarbor, finishing up in Geraldton, Western Australia, 11 days later. Along the way, the charity event stopped in at schools and organisations, dropping off specialised equipment for children. Isuzu Trucks joined the Variety Bash for another year in their longstanding relationship of over 15 years, loaning the charity event the Isuzu support truck. The Isuzu truck on loan is a Giga CXY prime mover, which was used to tow a support trailer, transporting donated equipment, camping gear and essential Bash materials. Isuzu Australia Limited National Sales Manager, Les Spaltman, commented on the company’s support of Variety Bash, “Isuzu is proud to continue our support of the Variety Bash in our longstanding relationship. “We are pleased to support Variety for another year, helping them provide and deliver equipment to children in need. “Variety works towards helping all children have the same opportunities, and we are happy to contribute to such a meaningful cause.” Following alongside Variety Bash fundraiser entrants, the Isuzu support truck visited schools and organisations, dropping off specialised educational, health and mobility equipment. Julie Baxter, Head of Corporate and Motoring Events at Variety – The Children’s Charity, said the Isuzu support truck carries essential equipment and enables the Variety Bash to travel through more remote regions, reaching isolated areas. Ms Baxter said, “The reliability of the Isuzu truck has allowed us to achieve more, helping us to bring more cars along for the ride each year. “All of this goes towards increasing our impact on helping to brighten the lives of children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. “The truck is vital to the operational side of the Variety Bash. “And Isuzu’s support means that this does not come at a cost to Variety, and therefore we can maximise our impact by helping more kids in need.” Over its 35-year history, Variety Bash has visited hundreds of schools and fundraised for essential items for children, including wheelchair-accessible drinking fountains and playground equipment. “Last year we were able to directly impact the lives of 12,290 kids through more than $1.6 million in grants,” said Ms Baxter. “This year our aim was to beat our 2018 fundraising total… Our dedicated Variety Bash entrants are very passionate about how Variety can make a difference in the lives of children.” With eight stops in this year’s Variety Bash, entrants and the Isuzu support truck saw a broad range of landscapes, including Ceduna in South Australia and Mount Magnet in Western Australia.