Next month two charitable Macquarie heroes will lead teams to raise funds and build awareness of causes very close to their hearts, one by car and one by foot.

On Sunday 2 August, Sallymae Bailey from Macquarie University Sport and Recreation will embark on a nearly 5000km journey from Bass Hill to Bunbury in her trusty 50-year-old car for the Variety Dick Smith B to B Bash. Sallymae, who leads the team known as ‘The Three Little Pigs’, helps to raise money for Variety – the Children’s Charity, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to children in Australia who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs.

During the event, Sallymae will once again drive her 1966 Holden HR with hot pink upholstery, which she affectionately calls “Hamlet”, in a ‘caravan like circus’ with approximately 100 other cars, all of which must be 1974 or older. They visit small communities in the outback along their journey to raise awareness about the event and charity. The annual event, in its 31^st year, raises more than $2 million for the charity.

“This is my 15^th year participating in the bash, and what I love about it is that it’s not a race or a rally,” Sallymae said. “It’s a drive in the bush with your mates and raises money for an organisation we truly believe in. I know nothing about the car. I do the ‘pink things’ and raise money.”

Since the team began in 2000, The Three Little Pigs have raised more than $200,000 for Variety. This year, their goal is to raise an additional $17,000.

Later in August, Associate Professor Anina Rich from the Department of Cognitive Science, together with other Macquarie colleagues, will participate in the iconic northern beaches ‘Pub2Pub’ fun run on 23 August. Anina’s team, ‘Running on Compassion’, aims to increase awareness about the current treatment of asylum seekers in Australia and raise money for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

“As the mother of two kids, this cause is very important to me,” Anina said. “I really wanted to do something to raise awareness about the children who are currently locked up in our immigration detention centres and the need for us to stand up for their rights. There are many great ways for people to get involved – and joining or sponsoring our team for the Pub2Pub is one way to do it!”

The 14.5km run starts at 8am at Dee Why Surf Club and finishes at the Newport Surf Club, where participants can enjoy live music and an International Food Festival.

Get involved

2015 Variety Dick Smith B to B Bash
Learn more and show your support of The Three Little Pigs. And, don’t miss your chance to catch Hamlet outside the Cochlear Building, lunchtime on Friday 24 July.

Pub2Pub
Learn more, join the team and show your support.