The popular Tassie Truck Run has celebrated a record year, raising $35,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Tasmania, with the cheque handed over this week.
Now in its 41st year, the Truck Run took place in March, with over 200 trucks taking to the highways before converging on the Longford Showgrounds, creating a spectacular display.
Trucks make its way from Launceston and through Perth before arriving at Longford; with onlookers lining the streets.
The Truck Run is hosted by the Tasmanian Truck Owners and Operators Association (TTOOA), with secretary Julie Wise telling Big Rigs that this is the fourth year their event has supported the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“When we were deciding on a charity to support, we were looking for one that people respected and trusted. We’re supporting a charity that is there to support us. Everyone knows who the Royal Flying Doctor Service is and many people have had to rely on their services before.
“Because the money raised goes to the Tasmanian division of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, it goes towards helping locals.”
The $35,000 raised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the 2024 event represents the highest total yet. TTOOA chair Rob Bayles said the amount of money raised has been progressively increasing year on year. “In 2023, we raised $28,000, in 2022 it was $22,000 and in 2021 it was $17,000.
“People are very supportive of the Truck Run. The support we’ve had from Tasmanian businesses has been overwhelming, with many donations to our raffle and auction. Without them, we couldn’t do what we do.”
The Royal Flying Doctor Service says it will use the donated funds to purchase equipment and supplies needed to provide its dental and physical healthcare services, and for fuel to drive to the rural and remote communities it serves.
In addition to this, part of the funds will go towards conducting free health checks for transport workers, as part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Open Roads program – being run in conjunction with mental health and wellbeing initiative Rural Alive and Well (RAW) and the Tasmanian Transport Association (TTA).
These free health checks, which include heart and lung function checks, are being delivered at popular truck stops Epping Forest and Mood Food.
While early renditions of the Truck Run would attract 30-40 trucks, Rob says they’re now seeing over 200 trucks take part, “I reckon we’ll probably get a few more trucks next year too!”
TTOOA will take to the Tassie highways once more next year, on March 2, 2025.
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