Timaru 6-year-old with cerebral palsy given tools to help her communicate at charity trek launch – Stuff.co.nz

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

Trek Kids members including Andy Chamley, Priscilla Stout, Kandy Mott, Olwyn Harvey, Robert Stout, Ali Chamley, Brenda Webb, Marty Webb and Patrick Hibbs charity gave away BMX bikes to schools at Caroline Bay Soundshell as their fundraising run got under way.

A Timaru girl with cerebral palsy was gifted an iPad, speaker box, and printer at the launch of an annual 2300-kilometre trek to raise money for disabled and disadvantaged children.

The equipment would help the 6-year-old better communicate with her family and friends, Trek Kids director Murray O'Donnell said.

"It is a cool feeling. It is the tear-jerking things that make guys and girls come back and keep doing this.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

Flynn Latta, 7, got a close up view of a US fire engine as the Trek Charity's fundraising run began in Timaru.

The annual trek, formerly known as the Variety Bash then Trillian Trek, kicked off from Timaru for the first time in its 30-year history on Sunday morning.

"We've finished twice in Timaru before but this is the first time we've started in Timaru."

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

Five year old Georgina Latta gets to find Wally as the Trek Charity's fundraising run began in Timaru.

Between120 and 130 people in 33 decorated vehicles including cars, buses, trucks, and a 17-metre Los Angeles fire engine are taking part in the seven-day trek across New Zealand, starting at the Caroline Bay Soundshell.

Eight BMX bicycles valued at $230 each were donated to Timaru South School and Oceanview Heights pupils at the launch event. Principals willdecide who receives a bicycle.

O'Donnell said 70 bicycles will be given out to schoolchildrenduring the trek.

Entrants hailed from around the country, though O'Donnell could not recall any Timaru participants, with some taking part in more than 20 treks.

O'Donnell hoped to raise about $80,000 during thetrek from Timaru, to Dunedin, Invercargill, Wanaka, Hokitika, Picton, Wanganui, and finishing at Taupo.

The event has raised $10.5 million to benefit Kiwi disabled and disadvantaged children since starting in 1990.

O'Donnell said the trek was originally going to launch from Christchurch this year - but plans changed after the mosque shootings on March 15, 2019.

"We changed it ages ago when the police said no, because of the big fire engines and sirens and things.

"We said that's fine and brought it to Timaru."

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Timaru 6-year-old with cerebral palsy given tools to help her communicate at charity trek launch - Stuff.co.nz