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Trekkers make waves for a good cause

Trekkers make waves for a good cause

Six days of adventure on personal water crafts, open water, pristine beaches, glorious Queensland weather and dozens of like-minded people who are likely to become your closest friends. Sound good?

Add adrenalin, adventure and action.

Sounding even better?

The best part – it’s for a good cause. Money raised through this once in a lifetime adventure assists Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland, to help children who are sick or disadvantaged, or who have special needs. This renowned charity also hosts the event and have done for 16 years.

The 2015 ‘Keppel to the Capital’ Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is an event like no-other, designed for those who enjoy the water and the outdoors, as participants travel on Personal Water Crafts (PWC) via some of the most amazing coastline and scenery that the east coast has to offer.

The coastal convoy, set to depart Yeppoon on Monday 4 May 2015, will include PWCs as well as medical support, mechanics, on-water recovery crews and road crews pulling PWC trailers and participants’ supplies – all ensuring the Yamaha Variety Jet Trek runs as smoothly as the water beneath the crafts.

Participants, both new to the event and seasoned ‘Trekkers’ (as they’re affectionately known) come from as far as Tasmania, Western Australia, Sydney and northern Queensland to participate in this unique event. Gold Coast Trekkers are also represented with Liz Chapman from Nerang already registered to participate in her 11th Jet Trek next year.

“It’s my favourite holiday of the year – I love active holidays and I love challenges, especially when you’re around like minded people. It’s also great to know that at the end of the day you’re out there doing something good and helping children in need,” said Liz.

“It makes the fundraising effort throughout the year worthwhile when you can see where the money goes and enjoy the trip as a kind of reward,” she said.

In order to attend the event, Trekkers must raise a minimum $2500 donation, with most Trekkers often going above and beyond this minimum. Each PWC entrant must have a road crew of at least one individual, who is capable of driving a car & towing a PWC trailer, to launch the rider and pick up in the afternoon each day.

Money raised allows Variety to provide the necessary assistance to the children. Participants travel through towns and communities, visiting and, in some cases, delivering equipment and assistance to children and schools in need – always a highlight for the ‘Trekkers’. Children and community groups assisted in 2014 included:

  • A walker for a local Coffs Harbour girl with Global Developmental Delay
  • A standing frame for a local Yamba boy with Septo-Optic Dysplasia
  • A beach wheelchair for a local Sunshine Coast girl with Edwards Syndrome
  • Equipment (rolls and wedges for physio, temperature control blanket and headrest for wheelchair) for local Sunshine Coast boy with Global Disabilities

 

This year, Trekkers are set to kick off festivities in Yeppoon on May 4 before travelling to Agnes Water, Bargara, Rainbow Beach, Caloundra and finishing at Sanctuary Cove six days later on May 9.

Applications are now open for this action packed adventure. Registrations are ongoing.

For more information about the 2015 ‘Keppel to the Capital’ Yamaha Variety Jet Trek, please visit www.variety.org.au/qldjettrek or call Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland – 07 3907 9300.