By Lucy Waldron
As the Great Endeavour Rally gears up for its launch on 31 August, one local star stands out among the crowd of cars.
Geoff Lang from Transport Field Service has been providing assistance for the annual Endeavor Foundation Rally since 2016. With a tow truck and unwavering commitment, Geoff ensures that rally participants facing breakdowns are swiftly rescued and brought to safety.
The Endeavor Foundation Rally is a Queensland-based charity event that aims to raise funds for the intellectually disabled. The foundation provides employment opportunities for intellectually disabled individuals, with over 7,000 supported employees throughout Queensland benefiting from their initiatives.
The tow truck driver initially got involved in the rally through a friend in the Australian Operator Association. Intrigued by the opportunity to contribute to a good cause, he agreed to participate in a one-day rally. Little did he know that this would be the beginning of a yearly tradition that has lasted for several years.
Geoff said the rally provides him with a holiday from his work but there are also challenges that he faces while on the dirt road.
“Isolation is one of the biggest challenges out there as there is no reception, so we have to rely on satellite phones and good navigation skills,” Geoff said.
For Geoff, the Rally is a full family affair, with his son and stepdaughters joining him in the truck in previous years. His son has started joining the Rally and in the three years of him signing up, he has raised around $18,000 on his own.
Being a sponsor for the Endeavour Rally and driving Towsta (the tow truck) Geoff said he is very grateful for what the Endeavour Foundation does and how they have helped him.
“I get to meet a whole new circle of friends I wouldn’t normally meet and those are lifetime friends, even if they call me by the name of my truck, Towsta,” Geoff said.
With his departure scheduled for Sunday 27 August, Geoff and his family will embark on a three-day journey to Cairns. Over the course of ten days, they will travel inland up to Cape York then down the coast back to Cairns, providing support and assistance to rally participants in need.
As the Great Endeavour Rally prepares to kick off, Geoff’s unwavering commitment to helping others shines brightly. His selfless efforts exemplify the spirit of community and compassion that drives the rally and the Endeavor Foundation’s mission.
