Driven by heart: Gippy Mummas hit the road for Gippsland’s kids

For Donna Lawless and Sue Embrey, the roar of a 1991 Subaru wagon engine is more than just the soundtrack to a bush adventure. Known as the Gippy Mummas, these two spirited Yinnar locals have turned their love of rally driving into a phenomenal fundraising mission to support sick kids at LRH.

The Gippy Mummas are the only all-female team in the KidzFix Rally, a charity event that combines back roads with fundraising for sick and disadvantaged kids in small communities. Since 2017, KidzFix has raised nearly $90,000 for Latrobe Regional Health (LRH), and the Gippy Mummas are determined to push that total past $100,000 this year.

“Rallying is so much fun. People come from all over the country, and each night we gather like a big family” Donna said.

What makes it really special is knowing the funds we raise go straight to equipment used here at LRH — our local hospital, helping local people.”

Their journey began in 2016 with a trusty old Commodore, encouraged by Donna’s mechanic husband, who volunteers with the rally’s rescue team. They have since upgraded to a Subaru L-series, clocking about 3000 km at each rally across unsealed roads, remote bush towns, and the occasional river crossing deep enough to test the nerves of any driver.

 Despite the rugged terrain, the Gippy Mummas have proudly finished every rally.

“We have tackled it all, even river crossings that saw other cars towed out on trailers,” Donna said.

Each year, the team receives the “Most Courteous Driver” award, reflecting their generous spirit both on and off the road.

Participation in KidzFix does not come easy. Teams must raise at least $4,500 and drive vehicles more than 20 years old. The Gippy Mummas meet the challenge year after year through community fundraisers, including trivia nights and barbeques.

One of this year’s fundraising events will be a high tea fundraiser at the Yinnar Bowls Club, with all proceeds helping the team gear up for this year’s September rally from Lithgow to Mallacoota via Lorne.

It will help LRH purchase four critical Nexus syringe pumps for its paediatrics unit.

Thanks to their past efforts, LRH has already acquired vital equipment including paediatric cots, a blanket warmer, a resuscitation trolley, sleeper chairs, and a jaundice meter — the latter eliminating the need for painful heel pricks in newborn babies.

If you would like to sponsor or donate to  Gippy Mummas you can do so by going to kf24 Car Y4R3 and following the links.

Courtney Whittaker, Acting Nurse Unit Manager of LRH Paediatrics, could not be more grateful.

“The support from KidzFix and the Gippy Mummas is phenomenal,” she said. “This equipment makes a real difference for children and families throughout Gippsland.”

The Gippy Mummas High Tea will be at the Yinnar Bowls Club on June 15 at 1.30pm. Tickets are $35 a person. To book, call Sue on 0458 151 631, or Donna on 0439 631 470.