Car 3844

The 1993 Variety Vic Bash travelled through Gippsland and Bash stalwart, Helen Hoppner, had the opportunity to watch the mad shenanigans of the entrants on that day.

Around that time, Helen had lost a granddaughter to a rare syndrome, so she had experienced first hand the difficulties parents endure every day with having a special needs child. But rather than dwell on the negatives, the team of Car 3844 decided to try and make a difference in the lives of others by raising funds locally for Variety – the Children’s Charity.

So Helen and three others from the Timber Industry set out to purchase a car and participate in the next Variety Bash.

Here we are 25 years later, still at it and enjoying every single moment of their journey.

While Helen says she has never sat down and tallied up the funds raised over her time in the Bash, she is sure it would be in the hundreds of thousands.

Helen knows all their hard work has been worthwhile and has changed the lives of some a number of children living with illness, disadvantage or disability in the broader community.

Such is the work and commitment of Variety Victoria and all the Bashers who every year put their hand in their pockets and hit the road.

The crew of Car 3844 are very special and Bash longevity seems to be their speciality. Helen Hoppner has been involved in the Variety Vic Bash for an incredible 25 years, with Jill Lewis close behind at 22 years, Glenda Stone has been hitting the track for 20 years and Heather Allen rounds out the group with a total of 12 years.

The team behind Car 3844 all agree the best part of the event is the camaraderie, the route, seeing their funds go to a great cause and enjoying the challenge of competing in an all girls car. wouldn’t miss it for the world.

They would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to their local sponsors who have so generously supported their mission over the last 25 years.