2023 Great Endeavour Rally participants crossed the finish line of their 3500km journey to the Cape and back.
Over 150 participants along with support and mechanical vehicles crossed the finish line in Cairns after completing the 2023 Great Endeavour Rally on Sunday (September 10).
This year’s rally broke the fundraising record for the third year in a row with over $761,000 and counting raised.
“We’re up at least 10 participating vehicles this year and fundraising efforts up about $150,000, so engagement was through the roof,” Endeavour Foundation event specialist Nathan Woolhouse said.
Cars lined up to cross the finish line after a record-breaking fundraising year to support people with intellectual disabilities.
With the rally being held in the Cape for the first time in over a decade, Mr Woolhouse said the participants particularly enjoyed all of the sightseeing they were able to do.
“Cape York has so much to offer and I think a lot of them will be returning,” he said.
“Everyone just loved obviously your big ticket items like Fruit Bat Falls, Elliot Falls and the Tip as well.”
Endeavour Foundation event specialist Nathan Woolhouse welcomed each vehicle across the finish line.
This year, two Endeavour Foundation support employees with disabilities participated in the rally as drivers for the first time, which they said was a huge goal achieved.
“It has been a dream for a long time, it’s been on my bucket list to get my own car and drive in the rally,” said Peter Lawson.
Teammate Matt Creswick encouraged others with a disability to give it a go.
“It was an incredible adventure and I recommend anyone with a disability to try and come on the rally, it’s worth the experience whether you drive or not,” he said.
A dream come true for two first-time rally drivers. Left to right: Matt Creswick, Peter Lawson, Mark Swift.
Endeavour Foundation production team leader Mark Swift, who supported Mr Lawson and Mr Creswick in the vehicle along the way, said he was “really proud of the boys”.
“This is the first year that we’ve had support employees driving and participating in the rally as entrants, so it was an honour to be involved and assisting them in achieving those goals.”
“The boys exceeded my expectations on their abilities, which just goes to show if you give them a go, they can do as much as anyone else,” he said.
Mr Woolhouse said the guys were an important addition to this year’s rally as a reminder to the cause they come together for every year.
“Everyone saw what their fundraising efforts actually do and made them realise that they are really making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
“I think the guys have had the time of their lives and they’ve got stories to tell for years to come, which is why we do this at the end of the day.”
Smiles all around at Cairns’ Fogarty Park after fundraising over $761,000 to support Australians with disabilities.
