MEDIA RELEASE
10 March 2020
Local father and son duo, Steve and Rhys Ward, are getting ready to make some waves on Rhys’ first and Steve’s tenth Yamaha Variety Jet Trek which will set off from Coffs Harbour to the Sunshine Coast from 16th to 21st March. Steve, owner and operator of Whitsunday Jetski Tours, and his 16 year old son, Rhys, are part of nearly 100 riders on personal watercraft who will undertake the six-day, 630 km adventure – all to raise funds to give more Aussie kids a fair go.
By embarking on the adrenaline-packed Jet Trek, Steve and Rhys will travel to some of Australia’s most spectacular coastline while directly changing the lives of Aussie kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. That’s why they have set a goal of raising $5,000 to provide practical equipment and experiences for kids in need and their families to overcome the obstacles they face, and help kids be kids.
The iconic Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is Australia’s largest and most successful charity personal watercraft (PWC) event, taking place annually for the last 21 years. It’s an adrenaline-packed adventure, travelling via some of the most amazing coastline and scenery Australia has to offer. Since inception, Trekkers have raised over $2 million to give more Aussie kids a fair go.
Steve was first inspired to take part in the action-packed and fun-fuelled trek 10 years ago because it was the perfect combination of raising funds for children while being part of a special jetski community of “Trekkers”.
“Our motto has always been ‘Doing it for the kids’. There are some very special kids and families out there who are struggling a little harder than most and we are more than happy to give up a week of our fortunate lives and dedicate our time to giving, as well as take on the challenges of jetskiing some incredible coastlines of Australia. It’s easy to pay it forward when you see how dramatically improved these families’ lives are. With support we can reach our charitable goal of at least $5,000 this year and I’m really looking forward to the experience of doing this year’s trek with my son, Rhys,” said Steve.
With a support crew over the past 10 years, consisting of wife Toni and other son, Will, nine, as well as Rhys, Steve alone has raised nearly $35,000 for Variety – the Children’s Charity
You too can make a difference to Aussie kids in need by helping Steve and Rhys reach their goal of $5,000. Simply visit https://www.varietyjettrekautumn.com.au/the-wardys to donate.
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Media Contacts:
Tiffany Brett
Marketing Manager, Whitsunday Jetski Tours
M: 0417 008 161 | E: marketing@jetskitour.com.au
Further Information:
About Variety – the Children’s Charity
Variety – the Children’s Charity is a not-for-profit organisation that empowers Aussie kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to reach their full potential. Variety helps kids in need to overcome whatever obstacles they face through grants of equipment, programs and experiences. Find out more at variety.org.au
About Whitsunday Jetski Tours
Multi award winning Whitsunday Jetski Tours offers exciting adventure tours in the Whitsundays and is the first and only guided jetski tour operating from Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach to the Whitsunday Islands. Guests can ride the latest model Sea-Doo jetski into the beautiful world heritage Whitsunday Island Marine Park. Four tours operate daily, the Airlie Adventure, also known as the ‘Turtle Tour’ with sea turtles often encountered, the Two Island Safari, exploring the waterways of South Molle and Daydream Islands, the Jetski to Paradise, a jetski adventure visiting exclusive Paradise Cove Resort and the Ultimate Island Trek, an epic jetski journey to the island oasis of Palm Bay Resort. Find out more at jetskitour.com.au