What started as a simple idea between mates is now gaining traction, with trucks turning out in their dozens to help raise money for Beyond Blue.
Truck drivers Jake Cusbert and Luke Roberts decided to start up monthly truck meets at Marsden Park in Sydney. The first one in May attracted about 30 trucks, while the one held last Saturday June 12 brought in 82 trucks. With the success of the last meet, it’s looking like the next one, to be held on July 17, will attract an even bigger crowd.
The two truckie mates work together at D&C Heavy Haulage, doing tipper work throughout NSW, and into Victoria and Queensland.
“I’ve been driving for nearly four years now. I’ve grown up around it. My old man is a truckie and then his dad was as well. I used to go in the truck with dad on school holidays and weekends,” said Roberts.
For Cusbert, it was much the same story. He too grew up around trucks as a kid.
“One day Jake rang me and said he had seen something about a car meet and asked what do you reckon about a truck meet? I said if it didn’t work, then I’d say it was all his idea,” he laughed.
“We’ve held two so far and there’s no charge, all we ask is that those that come along make a donation to Beyond Blue. KWT Transport put on a bbq for us and drinks. And then we had a coffee van there too. There’s no trailers, just prime movers and rigids,” said Roberts.
“There’s no show and shine, no ‘my truck is better than yours’, no politics. It’s simply about getting together, having a chat and then going home.”
The first truck meet raised around $350 and then second one around the $450 mark. But with their monthly meets now gaining a lot more interest, it’s hoped their fundraising efforts will go even further at the next meet and beyond.
At the July 17 event, the pair are planning to also have Beyond Blue wrist bands and magnets available for purchase, and they’re now in the final stages of having t-shirts made, which will help to raise further funds.
Cusbert and Roberts are also in talks with someone from Melbourne who is hoping to start up regular truck meets there too.
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