Variety Trillian Bash Southern Sounds Odyssey
The 26th Variety Trillian Bash was today (Sunday) joined by the two South Island crews - the Christchurch Airport Top Gun Team and the Bash Bakers – which led the cavalcade to breakfast at the Blenheim Farmers Market.
Bash Bakers’ David Drake has done close to 20 ‘Bash’ events between New Zealand and Australia, raising funds for disadvantaged children – and enjoys bringing friends along to experience the event’s unique mix of back-blocks road trip, rolling cabaret and feel-good ‘helping others’ vibe.
In Blenheim the crews entertained local kids and explained their charity mission to visitors to the market, before mayor Alistair Sowman farewelled the cavalcade, waved off by TVOne news Anchor Simon Dallow.
The planned trip to entertain children in the local hospital was thankfully cancelled as the ward was empty, and the day became a chance for North Island crews to check out the local sights and indulge in some lighthearted competitions, though the RNZAF engineering team were also kept busy with a series of minor breakdowns.
Tomorrow (Monday) the serious stuff begins, with a working bee at tiny Waitaria Bay School before Tuesday fires off a string of rural school visits that will continue until the event finishes in Timaru, on Friday, March 18.
See more at: facebook.com/VarietyNZBash