Variety Bash passes torch to Trillian Trek

POLICE BLUE LIGHT CHARITY TAKES ON ROAD TREK FOR KIWI KIDS

The Trek is a colourful event designed to appeal to and entertain kids – as well as raise funds for disadvantaged and disabled children

Variety Bash passes the torch to Trillian Trek

Trillian Trust and the police-partnered youth charity Blue Light have announced they will get behind the annual road-trek non-competitive car rallies that raise funds for disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi kids, and bring fun and entertainment to back-blocks schools each year.

For 26 years called the Variety Bash, the event will now operate under the Trillian Trek banner.

Trillian Trek coordinator Murray O’Donnell says, “This is fantastic news. We have around 30 teams running specially decorated classic and special-interest vehicles and themed teams, many of which have been raising funds for Kiwi kids in need for over 25 years.”

He says, “We couldn’t run the event without logistical support from generous supporters like Trillian, and we couldn’t reach the most vulnerable children without a charity to manage the logistics and the millions of dollars we raise.”

“To have Blue Light on board can help us reach the children who truly need our help. The police charity already works to build young people’s self esteem, build positive youth and community partnerships and to reduce youth crime.

“Our crews are all dedicated to working hard to help disabled and disadvantaged kids make the most of their lives by giving them a hand where it’s needed, and that ties in perfectly with Blue Light’s aims.”

Police dog handlers Bryan and Bobby have attended many Bash events, and hope to join future Treks supported by the police-partnered Blue Light youth charity

The Police charity is already familiar with the Trek format of non-competitive charity road rallies, as the famous Bryan and Bobby Safety Show has often joined the crews as they reach children in back-country New Zealand.

Under the Variety Trillian Bash banner, the twice-yearly trek raised funds for Variety – The Children’s Charity for over a quarter of a century. Its chief executive, Lorraine Taylor, said that over the course of many years, the event’s teams “have spent countless hours in their communities fundraising for Variety, and using their annual leave to travel on the Bash to help those less fortunate.

Former Variety International President, New Zealander Peter Drummond, said he was disappointed Variety no longer saw a need for the funds raised, but was happy to welcome Blue Light on board to help the annual rallies reach children in need, and looks forward to taking his own rig on future Treks.

“I know the crews will be happy to take on the job of helping children in need in the spirit of NZ Trekking. I welcome the news that Trillian and Blue Light will partner the much loved format in coming years, and look forward to greeting the crews of the Trillian Trek when they set out on their annual March odyssey to help New Zealand’s most vulnerable children step up into a brighter future.”

END

To keep up with what Trillian Trek teams are up to during the year, check in to facebook.com/TrillianTrek

© Scoop Media