Revved up for fundraising charity drive

The annual Variety Bash asks people to drive themed cars around the South West to raise money for sick and disadvantaged children, and this year Mt Barker’s Richard Mellor will take to the wheel.

The charity motoring event involves 22 carloads of passengers matched in costumes to their car’s theme, travelling from Perth to Fremantle — the long way.

Starting at Elizabeth Quay this Sunday, they will travel to Moora, Bimbijy, Kalgoorlie, a mystery location, Kellerberrin and finally to Fremantle for the Variety Ball next Saturday night.

Mellor said his car, a 1965 Ford Galaxy, is Avengers themed and he will be dressed as the Hulk.

“I have green contact lenses to wear and face painting to do — I will spray my hair and when I go to the schools, I will have a mask,” he said.

In for the journey with his uncle and long-time Variety Bash driver, Terry Mellor, and his uncle’s neighbour Dave Gibson, they have raised $10,000.

He said he and his wife recently felt the struggle of illness and accident and saw this as the perfect opportunity to give back.

“My wife had a double transplant a few years ago and we said we were going to fundraise for kidney health, which we never really got to,” he said.

“Then I had a bad accident and we struggled because between my wife and myself, we earn too much money ... I spent two years off work and my wife was off for two years too with her transplant, so we had no income coming in but no one could help us.”

To donate to Variety Bash, visit variety.org.au and to add to the tally raised by the Avengers car, select car number 66.

Mr Mellor said they fundraised the entire way and encouraged people to say hello.

“If we are broken down, then please stop and help us,” he said.

The festivities at Elizabeth Quay this Sunday start at 9am.