As a major sponsor of the 2019 Variety Bash, the team from Melbourne-based MSO, Sheen Panel Service, put in a stellar performance to complete the 5,102 kilometres from Melbourne to Geraldton WA.
This year the Sheen Team was “Car 50” in recognition of 2019 being Sheen’s 50th anniversary and PPG was proud to help sponsor the team on this epic journey. Car 50 was driven by three fly-in-fly-out teams covering three distinct stages of the trip:
Melbourne to Whyalla: David Morgan and Mark Salvadori
Whyalla to Kalgoorlie: Charles Camilleri and Kerry Smith
Kalgoorlie to Geraldton: David Whitehead, Jake Pantas, Ben Stone and Simon Ross
Throughout the 11-day event, entrants stopped at local towns along the route to visit schools and organisations where they could see the direct impact of their fundraising efforts aimed at helping children and their families. And when it came to fundraising, there was none better than Sheen Panel Service. Travelling in their Holden WB Stateman, Team Sheen raised a staggering $402,000 and was named the highest fundraiser for 2019 Variety Bash.
This year was a new record with 345 entrants and officials, across 94 variety bash cars, 20 official vehicles and 20 rookie crews. They smashed last year’s donations by $100,000, raising $1.82 million, which was a credit to everyone involved!
The $50,000 in grants along the journey saw variety funding an assistance dog, speech and safety enabling devices, equipment for a blind gymnastics program, educational and sports equipment and contributing to a dedicated reading area to support special sensory need students.