Lifesavers generally do their best work on the coastline.
This motley crew will be helping to make kids’ lives better by trekking through Central Australia in the Variety Bash, where the only waves they will encounter will be from curious onlookers.
The six mates – Glenn ‘Sunny’ Wouters, Chris Greenall, Michael Sutton, Matt Hardy, Andy Williams and Dan O’Loughlin – have signed up for the Variety Bash, Australia’s longest running and most iconic charity motoring event.
Known for its flair and fanfare, the 80-odd crews always make an impression when they come into town.
And the Lifesavers Downunder team will certainly do that, dressed in the iconic yellow and red lifesaving gear in cars decked out with surfboards and beach flags as they trek through the centre of Australia.
The trip starts in Hamilton on Thursday 8 August and ends in Darwin on Sunday 17 August, winding through the Flinders Ranges, Marree, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Mataranka and Adelaide River.
The cars must be over 20-years-old and most of the driving is done off the beaten track.
Teams must raise $7000 to compete and all the expenses – the vehicles, fuel, accommodation and food – are covered by the competitors, so 100 per cent of the money raised goes to Variety to help kids in need.
Hardy, Williams and O’Loughlin are driving car 3981, a Toyota Hi-Lux, and Wouters, Greenall and Sutton are in car 3814, a Nissan Patrol.
They head off to Hamilton on Thursday, where the adventure will begin with a trek to Adelaide on Friday morning.
To support the “lifesavers” in their quest to help disadvantaged “nippers”, head to the Variety Bash website and search for their team.
“Remember, 100 per cent of the money raised goes to the kids,” Wouters said.
