Please read everyone Mike Garry | 27th November 2008 A caring and generous group of people gathered in Coolum last week to celebrate the achievements of four disabled men in the 2008 Queensland Variety Bash. Determined to shatter the disability stereotype, Glen Sheppard, Alex McDougall and brothers Wayde and Damian Sorensen completed the grueling 10-day, 5000km road trip through rural Queensland and New South Wales, driving the 1972 Ford Falcon station wagon they christened Baxter. Not only did the Baxter Boys, as they came to be known, finish the event, they were awarded the Spirit of the Bash Award and a silver award for fundraising. Their team was in the top 10% of fundraisers for the bash, raising more than $15,000. The four men won the hearts of fellow bashers and the townsfolk they came in contact with. On the first evening they were introduced and made a speech to a standing ovation. Along the way Glen, Alex, Wayde and Damian inspired many families whose children receive much needed specialised equipment and computers to assist them in everyday living.Mardi Finlay of the Integrated Family and Youth Service’s Inclusive Living Program said the impact that Team Baxter had on families with disabled children was “huge”. “We had parents come up to us while we were on the bash, saying ‘you guys have given us hope for our child’,” Ms Finlay said. t was the first time that previous Variety Queensland recipients had participated in the fundraiser. “They wanted to give something back,” she said. It was obvious after listening to Damian’s speech last week at the Coolum Community Centre that, for Team Baxter, the bash meant more than just having fun. “I want everybody to see our ability to do the bash, and not our disability,” he said. Last week’s function was attended by sponsors, supporters and members of Variety Queensland. The 2008 Queensland Variety Bash, consisting of more than 600 people and 200 vehicles, raised a record $1.9 million and was one of the most successful Variety Bashes ever.Former Coolum resident “Yogi” Little, who drove to Coolum from Hervey Bay for last week’s ceremony, also participated in this year’s bash. Mr Little said he had wanted to drive in the bash since he was 18. “The big attraction was that it’s for all the disabled and the sick kids, because we’ve got a little niece now who has cerebral palsy,” he said. “That just added in to it. And now we’re in it and we’ll be doing it every year.”
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:32:25 +0000
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