NO CHILD should grow up disadvantaged – especially those who are sick – and Aussie car enthusiasts have been doing their bit to help out for more than 30 years.

Variety is an international charity formed in 1928 that provides help and support to sick children. First introduced to Australia in 1975, Variety has raised more than $220 million for kids in need and shows no sign of slowing down.

In Oz, the charity’s major event is the Variety Bash, which was started by Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith in 1985. It involves a drive across outback Australia with like-minded travellers from all walks of life in distinctively prepared vehicles.

Since its inception more than 30 years ago, $22 million has been raised by the Victorian chapter alone, and countless “anything goes” journeys have been undertaken across our country.

While the kids are the main focus, these communities are positively impacted as well, with Bash participants injecting more than three million tourism dollars into the rural economy each year.

The eclectic bunch of Bashers roll through towns wearing colourful costumes in equally colourful cars, and are able to meet with the kids they’re directly helping through their fundraising efforts.

If this sounds like your speed, you’ll need a 30-plus year old car in order to participate and at least one companion to journey with. Entry costs $660 for the event itself, and first timers are required to raise $5,000 in order to get to the start line, while veterans shouldn’t have trouble hitting their $7,000 goal.

We at Wheels love nothing more than an epic outback drive, so tag along to this epic Aussie journey and raise some money for charity along the way.

To enter, visit the Variety Bash website, at Variety.org.au