LONG time supporters of children’s charity Variety WA’s Creative Car Cruise Von and Ben Harrison from Maida Vale will be taking part in the Great Southern Cruise XV, marking the 15th year of the event which will take place from March 5 to March 8.

This will be Mrs Harrison’s fifth year participating and Mr Harrison’s fourth.

In previous years they have cruised in their 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, affectionately known as Herbie, but this year they are excited to debut Kevin — their 1976 Kombi.

Joining the Harrison’s on this year’s cruise are good friends Leeann Hawkins and Lauren Lumbus from Lesmurdie, with Beetle Herbie being freed up for Mr Harrison’s parents, Ian and Helen Harrison to take part as well.

Over the years, Mrs Harrison estimates they have raised more than $25,000 for the children’s charity through local community events, fundraising efforts, and generous community support.

Mrs Harrison, who teaches at Falls Road Primary School, said this year they raised most of their funds through a Bunnings sausage sizzle, but usually they raised money through school-based fundraising initiatives such as gold coin donation days or taking Herbie along to the Moonlight Fair.

“Our friends introduced us to our first cruise, and once we discovered the difference Variety WA makes by providing grants to schools, we were hooked. These grants often fund things that government funding doesn’t cover.

“For example, Variety provided enough funding for a Geraldton school that supports children with disabilities to build a swimming pool. Seeing the difference these grants make for local kids is invaluable. On top of that, we want to teach our own children about how they can help others.”

Great Southern Cruise XV will see a collection of classic, vintage and rare vehicles travel a black top route from Vasse to Quindanning, stopping in regional towns along the way to connect with local communities and deliver grants to schools and grassroots organisations.

The event is a cruise, not a race, designed to celebrate a shared love of motoring.

Great Southern Cruise XV focuses on connection, community and impact, bringing people together in support of regional communities across Western Australia.

Over the four-day cruise, participants will visit Cowaramup Primary School and Denmark Primary School, where Variety WA will deliver grants to support local programs and initiatives.

Additional community support will also be provided through stops including the Bremer Bay Sports Club and the Lions Club of Katanning, helping fund local initiatives that benefit children and families in the region.

Variety WA Board member and founder of the Creative Car Cruise Anthony Begley said the event had grown significantly since its humble beginnings 15 years ago.

“What started as a small group of like-minded car enthusiasts has grown into something much bigger,” Mr Begley said.

“We began with a simple idea - to combine a love of motoring with helping kids who need it most. Over the years, the cruise has grown beyond what we ever expected, but that original spirit of bringing people together for a great cause, while experiencing some of the most beautiful parts of this vast state, is still at the heart of the event.”

Further details and registrations will be available online.