Fundraising journey ends in city

LOCAL PARTICIPANTS: Mount Gambier residents Peter and Jarred Roulston finish the rally in their home town.
LOCAL PARTICIPANTS: Mount Gambier residents Peter and Jarred Roulston finish the rally in their home town.

AN array of colourful vehicles painted the hill beside the Lady Nelson Tourist and Information Centre on Wednesday afternoon in celebration of completing the Cystic Fibrosis Great Escape rally.

Around 37 cars paraded through Mount Gambier, marking the completion of their treacherous 11-day journey.

Entrants from across Australia participated in the fundraising rally, with Mount Gambier resident Peter Roulston saying he was happy to have the convoy finish in his home town.

“This is my ninth rally I have participated in and last year it finished in Noosa, so it was convenient to not then have to travel home,” Mr Roulston said.

This year Mr Roulston and his son Jarred travelled in the convey with their “Back to the Future” themed car however, the journey was not complete without a few mishaps along the way.

“During the journey we blew a tire, had to replace bolts on the roof rack and I also came down with the flu so I was bed ridden for a few days,” Mr Roulston said.

However, this did not dampen the spirit of the cause with Mr Roulston adding they took in incredible sights on their journey and visited places he had not yet explored.

“All in all it is part and parcel of it, we do it for the cause along with it being a fun and fantastic time,” Mr Roulston said.

He said he continued to support the annual fundraiser due to a close friend losing their daughter to the disease.

“The rally is a great way to fundraise and help with the process of finding a cure,” Mr Roulston said.

The Roulston’s car raised an impressive $10,000, with Cystic Fibrosis Great Escape track boss Terry Stewart highlighting ore than $300,000 was raised from the event.

The fundraising event is in its 16th year, and this year is the first time the charitable ride has travelled to Mount Gambier.

SISTER ACT: Sisters Lyn Gilchrist, Vanessa Crockett and Tracey Botterill support the cause and remeber their late sister Renee who lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis. Pictures: AMELIA PEPE