Variety Trillian Bash revs up

Jasmine Tyler,12, Dominic Passau 12, Zoe Cash, 12, Summer Chard, 12, Eloise Fine,10, and Scooby Doo, at Egmont Village School, sitting on the friendship seat donated by Taranaki's Scooby Crew. Photo / Sharyn Smart

The 25th Variety Trillian Bash kicks off in New Plymouth, with 30 teams and 180 participants signing on and having their gaudily-painted classic cars scrutineered.

The crews will drive nearly 2000km of largely rural roads, visiting schools, making grants to disadvantaged kids - and raising funds to help children around New Zealand.

The first to arrive were from Christchurch, old 'Bashers' returning for the anniversary event. Margaret and David Drake joined by Sharyn McKissock and supported by Couplands Bakeries.

Queuing behind them were Fishpot's 18-litre LA fire truck with veteran rocker Tom Sharplin among the crew, the FOAM fire appliance - with foam in its water tanks - and the Boys from Bulls.

Variety Ambassador Suzy Cato (rear) assists Bash coordinator Murray 'Mojo' O'Donnell (left) and Bash official Geoff Bentham (right) as Robyn Mullan, from Australia's Cupcake Mini team, sign on in New Plymouth

The RNZAF mechanics and the AA road service crew were already pulling out spanners to fettle vehicles experiencing teething problems after the long drive.

The first grant to be made has already been handed over, before the official start. Self-funded Taranaki team, the Scooby Crew, delivered a friendship seat to Egmont Village School.

Team captain Warren Haakma says the seats are designed to help a lonely or bullied child find help from their peers. "If you are sitting on the seat, alone, it's a signal you need a friend, and 'Thelma', aka my wife, Fay, plus 'Scooby' and a bull friend from the 'What a Load of Bull' team from Bulls explained the concept to the kids, who really seemed to get behind the idea."

The Haakmas' Scooby-themed crew drive a 1977 Chevrolet C20 Sport van they imported from Las Vegas and painted to resemble Scooby Doo's Mystery Machine.

With the seat donated, it was time to join scrutineering and make last-minute preparations for departure.

Fishpot crew and their 18-litre LA fire truck with veteran rocker Tom Sharplin aboard

The Trillian Variety Bash starts on March 7 with a Nips Surf competition at East End Surf Club New Plymouth, assisted by Mayor Andrew Judd.

To check out what the Bash is up to - or to find out when it will pass through your town, log on to facebook at www.facebook.com/VarietyNZBash.