Hauling a helping hand for kids

BIG RIGS will dominate Bundaberg roads this weekend with the Truck Drive For Kids rolling into town.

BIG RIGS will dominate Bundaberg roads this weekend with the Truck Drive For Kids rolling into town.

More than 80 trucks are expected to take part in the annual fundraiser, which will see a convoy go from Brischetto Wines in Bargara to Moore Park Beach on Sunday.

Organisers Dorothy, John, Michael and Bree Grima, along with the Moore Park Lions Club and the Bargara Lions and Lioness Clubs, are hoping to raise much needed funds for the children’s wards at the Bundaberg and Mater Misericordiae hospitals.

“We have raised more than $50,000 in the last three years,” Mrs Grima said. “We raised around $18,000 last year so we are hoping to beat it.”

Dorothy and John Grima began the event four years ago as a way to thank the children’s wards for helping their son as a young boy.

“Michael got sick when he was young and, since then, we have wanted to repay the hospital for their help,” Mrs Grima said.

“The Lions were absolutely fantastic with helping us to get the truck drive going. We couldn’t do it without them.”

The convoy will leave the winery at 10am and will arrive at Moore Park to a day of activities including a barbecue, rides, live music, stalls and, of course, a truck and car display.

Mrs Grima is encouraging the community to join in the fun – with or without a truck.

“You don’t have to have a prime mover to join in,” she said.

“I had a guy put his ute join in once. It’s all about raising money for the hospitals.”

Bundaberg Health Services Foundation manager Debbie Leis said money donated to Bundaberg Hospital would go towards a neo-natal resuscitation device and a phototherapy unit.

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Originally published as Hauling a helping hand for kids