Riviera

Riviera owners dig deep for charity

Three children living with a rare and incurable neuromuscular disease will receive a life changing hydrotherapy pool thanks to R Marine Perth’s inaugural Variety Splash.

The event held earlier this year raised more than $80,000 for Variety Western Australia and attracted a fleet of 20 Rivieras and 75 people who dug deep to raise funds for sick and disadvantaged children.

The fleet embarked on a four day journey leaving from Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour and traveling some 250 nautical miles over the course of the event, with stops made at Mandurah’s Dolphin Quay, Bunbury and Port Geographe Marina.

R Marine Perth hosts the annual Geographe Bay Experience for Riviera owners but this year joined with the children’s charity, Variety WA.

The event was a lot of fun with cocktail parties, beach barbecues, games and a Bollywood Charity Dinner held at Busselton’s Abbey Beach Resort were just some of the memorable highlights.

“This was our 4th Geographe Bay Experience but the first time we have included Variety,” said Brendon Grieve, the Dealer Principal of R Marine Perth.

“Based on the success of this year’s trip, we hope to make The Splash an annual event.

“Having two healthy young kids of my own makes my wife and I really appreciate the difficulties and stress parents with sick, disadvantaged or special needs kids are put through.

“R Marine Perth is grateful for the generous support from a fabulous group of Riviera owners who are always supportive. We love the fact that we have helped so many kids.”

The Baldivis family is one benefactor from this fundraiser with three children aged two, four and six all living with a rare neuromuscular disease. The children have difficulty standing and walking. They require constant physiotherapy to improve their strength and travel a four hour round trip each week to participate in hydrotherapy.

The donation of a hydrotherapy pool which will be installed in their backyard means the children no longer have to make the weekly four hour trip and can enjoy as many hydrotherapy sessions as they like, thus making a huge impact on their lives.

Plans are already underway for the 2011 R Marine Variety Splash and Brendon Grieve from R Marine Perth is encouraging people to get on board. If you would like to join in the fun next year, contact R Marine Perth on 08 9339 8877.