HELENA Valley’s Simon Ash recently joined more than 50 other participants for a thrilling, eight-day, off-road tour through the scenic and rugged terrain of the Midwest to raise funds for children’s charity Variety WA.

Mr Ash has been involved in the annual event for the past seven years, four as a participant and three as an official volunteer (OV).

“I was on the 4WD committee and that just evolved into me volunteering and helping more behind the scenes,” he said.

Mr Ash said in his role as an OV, he was responsible for driving around the media and photography crew, and making sure participants get through the tracks.

This year his main role was heading the 4WD team, which consisted of seven OV vehicles,  where his job was to coordinate and keep the event on schedule.

“It was great fun this year but also very challenging and with long days. But what gets you through is the people, it was a great group this year, all very like-minded individuals,” he said.

“It’s just a well organised and good all-round event for participants and it is their reward for all their fundraising throughout the year to help Variety WA and all the sick and disadvantaged kids

Mr Ash said he considered getting involved many years ago.

“Once I met some of the people involved and realised what a great cause it is, I was on board. It is great to see the kids being helped and especially in remote, regional areas where they generally do not get much support,” he said.

“Variety WA motoring events do a lot for kids in regional WA, creating awareness for them and helping kids in remote areas who can sometimes be forgotten about.”

He said his most memorable moments were getting back up to Dirk Hartog Island and seeing the participants interacting with the school children, when they stopped by to deliver grants.

Although he is now an OV he still does some fundraising and also supports Variety WA through his business M4C-4WD Accessories Perth in Canning Vale who have been helping Variety WA to build a new Toyota 79 Series Single Cab support vehicle.

Variety WA chief executive officer, Chris Chatterton said the charity’s fundraisers had done an amazing job for this year’s event, raising just over $250,000 for kids in need.

“This is an incredible effort and proceeds will go toward funding life changing equipment and programs for WA children living with disability, chronic illness or experiencing disadvantage.

“As an events-based charity, our motoring events are a huge part of how we raise funds, and make what we do possible. Last year we helped more than 26,000 kids across the state thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and fundraisers.

“I’d like to acknowledge the amazing supporters of the 4WD Adventure including Mahindra, Sovereign, Perth Detailing Centre, Europcar, Gold Security Group, Radlink, Midland 4WD Centre, Maxliner, Refresh, CR Kennedy and the wonderful Forrester Estate. Thank you for your considerable generosity and for making this experience of a lifetime possible.”

Drivers of all levels come on the 4WD Adventure, which offers different off-road experiences and challenges supported by medics and mechanics as well as award winning chefs and entertainers.

Register for the 4WD Adventure 2026:
4wd@varietywa.org.au