WEARY from their travels but elated, Ipswich’s participants in the Great Endeavour Rally can be proud of their astonishing efforts to support people with disability.
Four Ipswich teams were amongst 150 entrants that crossed the finish line in Cairns this month after 10 days of driving in the 34th Great Endeavour Rally, dubbed Cairns to the Cape.
In total, the 2023 Great Endeavour Rally raised an astonishing $761,284 for the Endeavour Foundation, smashing the previous record by more than $150,000.
The record fundraising total wouldn’t have been possible without the Ipswich rally teams.
The teams – DDSR, Highland Flyer, Just the Two of Us, and Mannion Mob – included the top two highest fundraisers and raised a combined $162,000 for the Endeavour Foundation. Ipswich couple Ainsley Barnes and Jamie Livingstone, who make up the rally team DDSR, took the trophy for highest fundraisers, raising an astonishing total of $69,023 on their fourth rally.
Ainslie said it meant a lot to her and Jamie to be able to help other people.
“It’s a cause close to our hearts because Jamie’s sister, Heather, works at Endeavour Foundation’s Wacol social enterprise,” she said.
“Heather leads an active life, and we see how much she enjoys working and what that does for her.
“Through the rally we want to give other people a chance to have a similar quality of life,” she said.
Rally organiser Nathan Woolhouse praised the Ipswich teams for their extraordinary efforts.
“We’re humbled by the generosity of those who took part in the 2023 Great Endeavour Rally,” he said.