If one were to ask that question of Darren James and his partner Karen Jones, you might get a surprisingly specific response – 615.5 kilometres, at least.

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That is the distance between Barmera in South Australia and Hillston in NSW, which are the start and end points of the 2025 Riverina Outback Rally.

Darren and Karen will join other teams in raising funds for Country Hope, an organisation that supports children and their families living in outback towns following the diagnosis of cancer or another life-threatening illness.

“This is our seventh year doing the rally and, personally, my partner Karen and I have raised over $150,000 to date – and rising,” Darren said.

“Our car, a Toyota Camry 1996 wagon, donated to us by Kim Burton of Port Stephens Toyota, is still going today.

“It has been through the Strzelecki desert, over the Flinders Ranges, up into outback Queensland and much more.”

Each team that participates in the rally is responsible for raising funds prior to the event.

This year Country Hope has set a target of $400,000 and The Coasties (Darren and Karen’s team name) have pledged to raise at least $15,000.

A part of their tried-and-true strategy developed over the past seven years is an annual event known as the Pig Races, held at the Anna Bay Tavern.

“The old licensee of the Tavern, Ian ‘Thommo’ Thompson, was one of our Number 1 supporters.

“He passed away last year from pancreatic cancer, sadly, but the pig races are now known as Thommo’s Country Hope pig races.

More immediately, however, Darren and Karen are focused on an event to be hosted by Nostimos in Nelson Bay.

The ”Greek Islands Sunday Sesh” will be held on Sunday 24 November from 3pm to 8pm.

“Nostimos came on board this year after we approached them for a venue to host.

“Other businesses have held our events over the years but we like to share it around.”

The Coasties love the camaraderie experienced during the rally.

“Our rally family are the most diverse bunch of larrikins you have ever met, and last year raised over $605,000 between 70 cars.

“We only know where we start and where we finish. In between is a mystery.”

The funds raised enable Country Hope to offer significant ongoing support to families learning how to cope with life-threatening illness, providing opportunities for connection with others going through similar difficulties and even walking the journey of grief for those families who have lost loved ones.

Country Hope’s primary initiative has been the “Time Out for Life” holiday camps, which were started for the purpose of bringing a time of joy into the lives of children living with cancer along with their siblings.

“We became involved to help out the people in the country when they were in major drought, but they also had to deal with the hardships of sick children.

“Our motto is ‘Doin it for the kids.”

For more details, contact Karen on 0404 881 588, Darren on 0401 587 444 or Jon or Clint at Nostimos on 02 4062 8898.

By Lindsay HALL