We support two charities: Variety – the Children’s Charity and The Wayside Chapel.

Our support for Variety the children’s charity started when I was invited to participate in a Variety Bash, for those not familiar with the Bash it is a car rally started by Dick Smith in 1985. The cars are 30+ years old, the roads taken are mostly off bitumen, and the route usually takes in outback Australia. The winner is not the fastest – that is frowned upon – but the team that raises the most money. Since that first event the Bash has raised over $200M dollars. While I no longer participate in the Bash we still sponsor a car.

In a total I competed in ten Bash’s, most in my own car. I have seen firsthand the positive impact this charity can have on disadvantaged children, particularly in rural areas.

In the words of Variety – The Children’s Charity.

“The work we do gives children in NSW and ACT the opportunity to improve mobility, gain freedom and get involved in their community, where they can better communicate, achieve independence, and increase their self-esteem”

Learn more about Variety – the Children’s Charity here | The Leading Children’s Charity | Variety Australia

The Wayside connection came about after Suzy and I attended a Sunday Mass at Wayside with friends and were taken with the support, care and total lack of judgement afforded to those less fortunate than us by the staff and volunteers of Wayside. This truly is a remarkable organisation.

As the Wayside chapel expresses.

“Wayside operates a range of services that place dignity, respect and love at the heart of their approach. Our programs and spaces see everyone as a person to be met, not a problem to be solved”

Learn more about Wayside Chapel here | Programs – Wayside Chapel

The money given to these charities is raised through the sale of donated audio components which are no longer needed by the original owners. The initial idea came from my dislike of seeing perfectly operational equipment waiting for council pick-up by the side of the road. We now encourage people to drop it off to us, and we will test it, service it if necessary, put a warranty on it, and sell it. We retain a small percentage (20%) to cover the above, and the balance goes to charity.

This has proven to be a very successful endeavour, with tens of thousands of dollars donated to date, and tons of equipment kept out of landfill.

If you wish to be part of this initiative simply drop any unwanted equipment off to us. For larger items please give us a call and we can collect when next in your area. There is still life left in much of this equipment, it would be a shame to lose that.

Warm Regards,

Len Wallis.