Townsville Businesses fuel friends cross-country charity drive

Townsville’s Samantha McGair, Kim Renew and Daniel Klaffer will be driving in the 50th Variety Bash to raise money for sick children and promoting the best Townsville businesses have to offer in their Dr Seuss car. Read the full story here.

(Left) Kim Renew and Samantha McGair will be doing a number of challenges on their Instagram page that features products from Townsville businesses. Picture: Josh Mercer

Townsville trio Samantha McGair, Kim Renew and Daniel Klaffer are getting ready for a big trip raising funds for sick children.

The Variety Bash kicks off on Sunday August 3 in St George and will finish up in Port Macquarie on August 13, going by way of Adelaide, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Variety.

In their vehicle which was built by Ms McGair’s dad, Bash Car 1626, better known as the Dr Seuss car, Ms McGair will be dressed as Thing 1, Ms Renew as Thing 2, and Mr Klaffer as Cat in the Hat for their drive.

Ms MaGair said she and her family had a long association with the Bash.

“This will be my seventh bash,” she said.

(Left) Samantha McGair as Thing 1, and Kim Renew as Thing 2 are ready for the Variety Bash, whish starts on August 3. Picture: Josh Mercer

“My dad started when I was little, so he’s been on the Bash for like 25 odd years.”

When she was young, Ms McGair was sick with a liver disease, she said her dad started doing the Variety Bash to help sick kids like her.

McGair jumped on board the Variety Bash as soon as she could, doing six in a row. However, Ms McGair couldn’t do last year’s bash.

“I was supposed to go on last year, but that’s when I had my liver transplant,” Ms McGair said.

“So this will be my first year back on the Variety Bash with a new liver taking someone else with me, so I’m really, really excited and proud of that.”

Ms Renew said she is excited and nervous about her first Variety Bash.

“I’m huge on supporting small businesses, plus also fundraising, and just making a difference in the world,” she said.

Annees, Ottos, Pizza Riviera are some of the Townsville businesses that have gotten behind Bash Car 1626, sponsoring them on their journey.

“Otto’s Market is proud to fuel the fun for Variety Bash 2025 with Samantha McGair,” said Renae Summers, Operations Manager of Otto’s Market.

(Left) Samantha McGair as Thing 1, and Kim Renew as Thing 2 are ready for the Variety Bash, whish starts on August 3. Picture: Josh Mercer

“We love supporting the locals who support us, and if it means seeing some wild costumes, even better!”

The two best friends wanted to showcase the businesses who have thrown their support behind them, Ms McGair said they will be doing some fun challenges along the way to show what Townsville businesses have to offer.

“So for Annee’s we’re doing a bit of a social media takeover, we’re doing a road trip to see the Annee’s stores along the way,” Ms McGair said.

“We’ve been doing content for Pizza Riviera, you know silly things where we go through the drive-through and pick up a pizza and stuff like, which you can find on our Instagram.”

“And for Otto’s we’re really excited about this, but we’ve got a bunch of little car snacks and stuff like that. We’re planning to do, like, a little hot sauce challenge or you know those really big pickle things, we’re going to do the pickle challenge.”

Originally published as Townsville Businesses fuel friends cross-country charity drive