Special Rigs for Special Kids
The annual Special Rigs for Special Kids is back again this year and will be held on 25 August 2019
Every year, big rigs are rolled out through the streets of Dunedin city and then out into the country to take special needs kids for a ride, ending up at a venue where they are provided with food, drink, and entertainment. This year, the event is scheduled for 25 August.
The concept is simple and that’s where its brilliance lies. Greg Inch, owner of a Dunedin-based earthmoving business and the man behind the event, says he came across the idea more than 25 years ago from a mate in England. At the back of the firm where he worked was an orphanage, and every weekend, the kids would help the drivers clean the trucks. So to thank the kids, the drivers took them for a ride and then treated them to a barbeque lunch.
Back in New Zealand, Greg spoke with some fellow drivers and other interested people, and within six weeks, the first event was held that saw 120 trucks. Overwhelmed with the support received, Greg decided to make Special Rigs for Special Kids an annual event.
Today, the event is run by a committee of volunteers who put together the event for around 1200 special needs kids and their families. Greg says the event is grown to a point where it’s now one of the biggest on the Dunedin Council’s calendar.
Government authorities are also on-board to lend a hand with the CVIU giving a logbook exemption to drivers who participate in the run and NZ Police providing escorts throughout the day.
This year’s event will take place on Sunday, 25 August.
Read more about Special Rigs for Special Kids on Deals on Wheels or visit specialrigs.org.nz.
Keep up to date in the industry by signing up to Deals on Wheels' free newsletter or liking us on Facebook.