One Mittagong team is looking toward the luck of the Irish on its eighth Variety Bash.
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Eileen Donaglhey and her husband Sean will travel 4300km with the aim of raising money for disadvantaged kids.
The Variety Brydens Lawyers B to B Bash will celebrate 35 years and more than $200 million raised for kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs when the 2019 Variety Bash hits the backroads from iconic Bondi in Sydney to Batt Reef, Port Douglas, July 28 to August 6.
The Variety Bash was inspired by businessman and philanthropist Dick Smith in 1985 when he gathered a group of mates and drove through the Outback raising $250,000 in the first year. From this inaugural event a national Variety B to B Bash was established, along with Variety Bashes in each state.
The Variety Bash is well known for its colourful characters, dressed up Bashers and cars that bring joy and laughter to isolated regional Aussie kids. The Donaglhey's wanted to help the country that they love.
"We wanted to give something back," Eileen said.
"We came to Australia 30 years ago. We worked really hard and life has been really good to us.
"The first Bash we did, I was on a cruise and I was told that we were going to Broome. The only Broome I knew besides a witch's broom was in Western Australia. I couldn't imagine driving all that way in an old car and when Sean said we go on dirt roads, not bitumen, I nearly died."
Meeting in 1976, Eileen and Sean decided to number their 1964 EH Holden the year they met and they've been changing lives and putting smiles on faces since then. But like the bumpy dirt roads they travel, it wasn't all smooth going at the beginning.
"We owned an Irish restaurant in Sydney and decided to keep the theme going," Eileen said.
"I decided to be Mrs Leprechaun and Sean Mr and we called our team the Leprechaun Travelling Machine.
"I navigated on the first bash and Sean drove. I promised myself I'd never do it again. Operating a busy restaurant, I was expecting a holiday.
"But one day we went to one school and one child was in a wheelchair with quite a lot of health problems. She had outgrown her wheelchair and the parents weren't in a position to buy another one.
"This child had to watch all the other kids play and when she received her new pink diamante wheelchair and began doing wheelies and playing with all the other kids, we all began crying.
"That day struck me and I realised this charity drive is pure joy.
"For a drama queen expecting a holiday to a now down to earth, grounded person, it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done."
The Variety Bashers have visited more than 220 schools donating equipment such as playground equipment to help kids overcome barriers to reach their full potential.
"The Variety Brydens Lawyers B to B Bash is one of Australia's iconic events providing both an adventure for big hearted Aussies as well as raising vital funds to give kids a fair go," Variety - the Children's Charity NSW/ACT CEO, David Sexton said.
The 35th Variety Brydens Lawyers B to B Bash will set off from Bondi and travel the back roads to Singleton, Inverell, Miles, Emerald, Hughenden, Georgetown, Karumba, Chillagoe and Batt Reef, Port Douglas covering more than 4300km over 10 days.