The 12th annual Cruisin’ Along charity drive in May will serve a dual purpose; raising money for Cancer research while supporting Central Western towns feeling the pinch from this sustained drought.

We certainly hope there’ll be some drought-breaking rain before the 1 May departure date of the 2020 Cruisin’ Along trip, but businesses impacted by drought will take some time to recover.

“The idea is to go through some of the smaller towns and just show them that we’re thinking of them,” said Cruisin’ Along organiser Terry Davis.

“Drought affects the farmers, but it is also the cafes and the motels and the small shops in these towns that can probably be even more affected. So, the idea is to show support by staying overnight, having meals, buying fuel and having coffee at these towns. We certainly won’t change their lives, but every little bit helps.”

The Drought Drive will leave Orange on the 1st May 2020 and stay overnight at Kandos, Wellington, Trangie, Condobolin, West Wyalong, Parkes, Grenfell and Molong, coming back to Orange on the 9th May. The drive will take in a number of small towns and villages such as Glen Alice, Geurie, Eumungerie, Albert, Peak Hill, Trundle, Bogan Gate, Gooloogong, Burcher and Cargo.

Each car joining the eight-day trip must donate $500, all of which will do towards cancer clinical trials. Participants are also encouraged to do their own fundraising and there will be raffles and auctions held at the various stopovers.

And this year, Terry said they are also offering people the chance to join them overnight of on shorter legs of the trip.

“Because it is very localised —the furthest place away would be West Wyalong — we are also looking for people to come on a one or two day trip and we've had quite a bit of interest in that!” said Terry, who encouraged people to get involved.

“We have great fun, there are good people, and we are all there for the same reason: to raise money for cancer clinical trials,” he said.

“And being a dual purpose fundraiser this year with the drought… people seem very interested in doing something for these communities, well here is an opportunity to take a week off or a day off and go and visit people and to show them that we are thinking of them.”

The Cruisin’ Along drive is run under the Rotary Club of Orange – Daybreak. All the money donated is given to charity.

Terry said anyone interested in taking part can find more information at www.cruisin-along.org.au  or on the Cruisin-along Facebook page.

“They can contact me either through Facebook or the website — there is an entry form on the website — but they contact me and I can tell them what it is all about.”