Generosity abounds for Variety Bash

The 'KI to the Capital' event started in Kingscote, featuring about 300 crazily-costumed entrants and 100 colourful vehicles. It then made its way through Robe, Mount Gambier and Loxton, to finish in Glenelg.

In the past 32 years, the Variety Bash has raised more than $44 million for SA children that are sick, disadvantaged or live with special needs.

This year, the pandemic did nothing to quell the generosity of the public, with the 2020 SA Variety Bash still raising an incredible $1.5m.

The top three highest SA country-based fundraisers were Car Toy, made up of participants mainly from Clare, with $73,089 in third overall; Car TABC - also from Clare - were the bash's fourth highest fundraisers with $69,145; while Car 88 from Tanunda were the fifth highest fundraisers with $67,254.

Emily Elkhoury from Car Toy said fundraising was handled a little differently this year with COVID restrictions and other hardships.

"We couldn't hold our usual local event this year, but some of our existing corporate donors stepped up for the cause," she said.

Some Car Toy participants have entered the bash for a decade, with a 1977 Ford Transit 'Mr Whippy'-style van their mode of transport.

"Local winemaker Tim Adams (event sponsor and from Car TABC) and his wife Pam have been the catalyst for getting a lot of our team on board," Emily said. "Their passion for the charity is infectious and you just want to be part of the family and to help the kids as well."

Another entrant, Car BBQ from KI, nearly didn't even make the bash, with participant Will Chapman's 1971 HG Holden Kingswood, also known as the 'Brown Bomber', barely escaping the summer bushfires.

"The flames came up to the edge of the shed it was stored in, but somehow it didn't ignite, while other vehicles nearby were cooked," he said. "We were thrilled it survived with only minor damage."

Will, who is also son of deputy premier Vickie Chapman, has been fundraising for the bash since 2009, following a medical emergency.

In 2008 at Western River Cove, when his wife was only 28 weeks pregnant, their first daughter Adelaide decided to arrive early.

"Thanks to the quick response of the Variety-sponsored RFDS plane and the Kingscote medical staff, it all worked out well," he said.

Variety SA chief executive officer Mark McGill said bash participants had overcome many hurdles to see the event go ahead in 2020.

KANGAROO Island's Will Chapman and his Car BBQ team was given the honour of the first car departing for the SA Variety Bash at Kingscote.

The honour of the "gold door" traditionally goes to a car with local connections that has fundraised well, with the Car BBQ team raising $31,489 for children in need.

Will's 1971 HG Holden Kingswood (first owned by his late uncle) was lucky to escape the KI bushfires, in a shed at Western River.

The Variety Bash start line was also where money raised to benefit KI children was handed over, including $45,000 to rebuild the Stokes Bay Community Hall playground, $6700 for the KI Calisthenics Club and $55,000 for KI Community Education playgrounds at Kingscote and Penneshaw.