General News
15 March, 2024
Rainbow Warriors rally for childhood illnesses
Rob and Helen Heinrich will this month complete the Riverina Outback Rally raising funds for Country Hope - a country-based, family-centred support organisation for children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Rob and Helen Heinrich will this month complete the Riverina Outback Rally raising funds for Country Hope - a country-based, family-centred support organisation for children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
The Rainbow couple and their fellow entrants will leave Darlington Point in NSW on March 18 to follow directions given to them every day in what is described by organisers as an "amazing and fun" charity fundraising event.
After having faced her own cancer challenge in 2018, Mrs Heinrich said she felt sorry for the children who were going through a similar ordeal.
"It's such injustice," Mrs Heinrich said.
"While I donate to the Leukemia Foundation still, this rally allows me to raise awareness and support for childhood cancer and the illnesses that little people deal with."
Mrs Heinrich said her husband had always wanted to be involved in a car rally for a cause, and friends in NSW had often spoken about their campaign and the comradeship the event created.
"We both think that doing events such as the Outback Rally is our way of giving a little back to those who need it and also having some fun on the way with likeminded people," Mrs Heinrich said.
She said more than 80 teams would compete in the event.
The local entry's name is "Rainbow Warriors" - "being from our small town of Rainbow and fighting like warriors to help out kids with cancer", Mrs Heinrich said.
The Heinrichs have an old Falcon panel van for the rally, on which Mr Heinrich has been working tirelessly in preparation for the event.
"Rob's pretty happy with the result," Mrs Heinrich said.
"Now we just pray that it makes it to the start point at Darlington Point along an outback track to Grong Grong."
The couple have reached their fundraising target of $3000 by raffling cut wood and adding in donations from businesses, family and friends.
And they says they're hoping this is the first of at least a couple rallies as they have plans to do it annually for at least the next few years.
"We never underestimate the power of giving where it's needed and feel there's always someone worse off than us who needs help," Mrs Heinrich said.
"This is something we can do before we get too long in the tooth."