RFDS fundraiser, Outback Car Trek reaches final pit stop at Yorkeys Knob
Car enthusiasts have rallied across Australia to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service, raising vital funds for healthcare in remote communities. How you can get involved.
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More than 240 car enthusiasts will descend on Yorkeys Knob on Sunday for the final pit stop of an 11-day fundraising event that has raised $36m since in just three decades.
Drivers from across the country took part in the 35th Outback Car Trek event from Bathurst to Cairns, to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Bill Patrick, the retiring chief excitement officer of the Outback Car Trek who has run the route and logistics of the event for nearly 20 years, said it was a privilege to work with the “trekkers” to support “such an important cause”.
“Every year is an opportunity to explore different parts of this amazing country,” he said.
“We regularly take the back roads and travel the long way around, and you get a sense of just how isolated some communities are from modern conveniences and essential services like
healthcare.”
Throughout the 11-day trek, more than 100 vehicles stopped at significant RFDS locations, including Dubbo, Longreach and Julia Creek.
Royal Flying Doctor Service south eastern section chief executive Greg Sam said the funds raised would go toward continuing to provide lifesaving treatment for patients in rural and remote areas of Australia.
“The Outback Car Trek is a longstanding and beloved fundraising event,” Mr Sam said.
“The trek not only raises funds for our core work.
“The ethos of the event, to provide social and economic benefit to the communities it travels through, is closely aligned to our mission and our commitment to regional, rural and remote communities.”
Since its inception in 1990, the Outback Car Trek has raised more than $36m for the RFDS.
The RFDS Cairns base will celebrate its 75th year serving Far North Queensland in 2025.
Originally published as RFDS fundraiser, Outback Car Trek reaches final pit stop at Yorkeys Knob
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