A community-led group that started to help one family in crisis is about to commemorate its 500th family assisted in an outstanding tribute to compassion and community support. Award-winning charity Rally for a Cause started 12 years ago when a small group got together to raise funds to help one family. It is now preparing to mark 500 families helped and $6 million raised by the communities it serves.
The charity’s major annual fundraiser, the Dunga Derby car rally, witnessed 270 participants travel for the four-day mystery celebration, but not before raising $715,000 for people suffering from life-limiting medical conditions and other tragic circumstances. Rally for a Cause General Manager Scott Rowe said, despite tougher economic conditions over the past 12 months, the community again rallied behind the cause.
“The Fraser Coast continues to confirm itself as the most caring community in Queensland, having raised the second highest fundraising total in the history of the event. Despite tougher economic conditions for businesses and individuals, the Fraser Coast community never disappoints.”
Mr Rowe said two of the Dunga Derby teams, HBW and the Hoonicorns, raised $65,000 each.
The 12th annual Dunga Derby took participants from Hervey Bay to Mingo Crossing on day 1, Mingo Crossing to Kenilworth for day 2, Kenilworth to Kilcoy on Day 3 and Kilcoy back home on day 4 to finish with the traditional Esplanade parade.
“As is our philosophy to leave every community we visit better than the way we found it, we also raised $40,000 on track to assist people in those communities that require help,” Mr Rowe said.
This year, Dunga Derby donated $10,000 to a Kenilworth family whose 11-year-old daughter Maddy suffers from a rare medical condition which affects just one in every 22 million people. “Maddy’s mother Emma, herself a community volunteer, was working in the kitchen at the showgrounds to help feed the Dungarians during our overnight stop. When it was announced that the family was the recipient, it was an emotional surprise for her.”
Dunga Derby also donated $10,000 to the Kilcoy Pink Up cancer group, which recently started assisting cancer patients in the Kilcoy and surrounding region. “Their goal for their first 12 months was to raise $10,000, which our Dunga Derby participants achieved for them in one night.”
The third recipient was Childers resident Jono Walsh, himself a Dungarian, who is battling a rare form of Motor Neurone Disease. “Jono is one of our own, so it was important to us to show him that he has the support of his Dunga family.”
“We sincerely thank all of our sponsors, supporters, volunteers and community for continually ensuring we can be there when people need us most.”
For more information on the Dunga Derby or Rally for a Cause, please visit the website www.rallyforacause.org.au
