The 26th edition of the annual Goulburn Valley Hospice Rallye was a huge success, attracting outstanding community support for a round-the-clock palliative care service.
“We had a fantastic weekend. Thirty-six cars and 85 people entered the event,” Hospice Rallye committee chair Kelvin Maude said.
“Saturday night saw spirited bidding on auction items, and the major raffle attracted record ticket sales.
“Add to that a number of significant donations, and we’ll see this year’s event contribute over $100,000 to GV Hospice Care.
“Perhaps more significantly, across the 26 years of this event the total funds raised is now over $1 million.”
The Hospice Rallye was run and won on the weekend of April 30 and May 1.
GV Hospice Care board president Jeanette Powell thanked the Hospice Rallye committee, entrants, sponsors and donors for this year’s donation and continued support over the past 26 years.
“The funds raised by this event and other community groups ensures the community continues to have access to a much-needed free, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week specialist palliative care service,” she said.
GV Hospice Care receives government funding for a 9am to 5pm service.
But Ms Powell said the needs of those who used the hospice’s services didn’t stop at 5pm.
“Thanks to the generosity of the community, hospice is able to provide nurse, social worker and clinician support at all times of the day or night,” Ms Powell said.
All of the hospice services are free, which is one of the policies the committee of management is strongly committed to maintaining.
The hospice provides bereavement counselling for family and carers after their loved one passes away.
“Our nurses and caring staff have been on the journey for many months, and will continue until the family and carers feel they have had the support they need,” Ms Powell said.
The winners of this year’s Hospice Rallye were Jill and Kelvin Maude, driving a 2010 Skoda Octavia RS.
The teams event was won by Rocky Varapodio, Reg Qemal and Jill Maude driving a 2020 BMW X5, a 1990 VN Group A Holden Commodore and a 2010 Skoda Octavia RS respectively.
The most popular vehicle award was won by the 1922 Bentley 3 Litre Tourer campaigned by Geoff and Madeleine Adams.
The Hospice Rallye is a navigational challenge on sealed roads, this year in the north-east High Country.
Competitors travelled from Shepparton to Wodonga on day one via Glenrowan, Milawa, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Tangambalanga, the Hume Weir and Bonegilla.
Day two delivered more stunning scenery en route to lunch at Chrismont Winery at Cheshunt via the Kiewa Valley, Myrtleford, Oxley, King Valley and Whitfield.
GV Hospice board member Les Young was recognised for 20 years participating in the Hospice Rallye.
The Hospice Rallye is held on the first weekend in May each year and open to vehicles of all ages. For more information about next year’s event, contact Kelvin Maude on 0418 992 270.