Communities affected by Cyclone Debbie are among those who have benefited from the work of online not-for-profit group, GIVIT, and they will continue to benefit, thanks to the work of the Road Boss car rally.
Some 180 people travelled more than 4000km from Gladstone to Tamworth the “long way” – via the Boulia camel races – raising over $264,000 for the group that connects those who need with those who have something to give.
Along the way, the rally spent tens of thousands of dollars in the different communities it visited, helping to boost their economies, and delivering $11,000 worth of items to charities and community groups.
The lucky towns included Baralaba, Aramac, Winton, Boulia, Stonehenge and Toompine in Queensland, as well as Lightning Ridge, Boggabri and Tamworth in NSW.
Rally founder and organiser Jamie Lawson said the rally built on last year’s success.
“We never set a goal to raise more than we raised last year, so to have raised as much as we have is mind-blowing,” he said.
“But for me, the big thing is that we always leave a positive impact in every community we visit – as well as have a bloody good time doing it!
“We set aside $11,000 from last year’s rally and through GIVIT we found out exactly what the communities visited needed and made sure they got what they needed.
“Whether it’s a wheelchair to a young girl in Gladstone, two thousand dollars worth of locally-purchased vouchers to the Winton Neighbourhood Centre or a clothes dryer to a farmer doing it tough near Narrabri, GIVIT and Road Boss Rally are making a difference with everything we do.”
GIVIT founder and CEO Juliette Wright was at the finish line to greet the rally entrants after 10 days on the road.
“Seeing all the cars roll up to the Oxley Lookout in Tamworth was just awesome, especially considering how far they’ve come and everything they’ve done in that time,” said Ms Wright.
“I want them all to know, the money that they’ve raised will be put to good use helping those who need it most get exactly what they need.
“GIVIT has been working hard helping people recover after Cyclone Debbie and the floods, but some people still have a long way to go and it’s thanks in a large part to Road Boss Rally that we’ve been able to achieve so much.”
Although more than 1400 registered charities with needs listed on the GIVIT website are supported by people who search the list, the funds raised from the Road Boss rally are used to address urgent requests that can’t be filled quickly enough through public donations.
Since 2009, nearly half a million items have been donated via GIVIT to people in need.
The organisation has received a National Resilient Australia Award by Australia’s Attorney-General for its disaster recovery service, and The Australian National Innovation Challenge Award.
