Great Escape Testimonial 2006

My testimonial goes not only to the Great Escape for Cystic Fibrosis but to the very special people who make it all happen. That includes organisers, officials and entrants alike. Congratulations to you all and thank you for being part of my life. My passion stems from our beautiful youngest daughter, Michelle, who lost the battle at just 17 years of age. For the past 14 years I have been actively involved in various charity bashes and the latter 5 years with the Great Escape. I have to say that The Great Escape is by far the best motoring event I have encountered.

There is nothing left to chance and Road Boss Jamie Lawson epitomises the spirit of The Great Escape in every aspect. Destinations are always varied and more than interesting, the characters we meet likewise. This event is a perfect size, both with the number of cars and the duration and I believe we all feel like one big family. The camaraderie is sensational and help is always at hand if needed. It has been interesting taking corporate passengers in the car but a bundle of fun. I always explain, there is only one rule, "there are none".

At times, people ask why I still continue to participate in car events at this stage in life and my answer is always the same. The Great Escape is unique in that it is the only place I can go and be totally comfortable with my surroundings, my friends and be whoever or whatever I wish to be at any given time. I believe everyone on the event feels likewise. Hey, if I was a guy, I wouldn't shave for days either. It's a total relax!

The fundraising since inception of the Great Escape has bee nothing short of amazing and just grows each year and I am so very proud of all the entrants for raising the stakes. My dream is to reach $500,000 as a team effort with all entrants in 2007. LET'S KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE!!!!!

Living in Townsville has enriched everything I do even though logistically I have much further to travel to staring points, but it's well worth it. I am heavily involved here with CF families (32 in all) and one very special young lady, Sami Heit, who is awaiting a double lung transplant as this goes to print.

Finally I invite anyone out there who has procrastinated and always wanted to do a bash or rally to act NOW! Join us on The Great Escape and be assured of the best time you could ever imagine. Nothing comes close to this adventure and I guarantee you won't find it on any travel agents shelf.

Teresa Carlson, Townsville
Car 65, Jewel of the North

Great Escape Testimonial 2006

Solvay Pharmaceuticals has been associated with the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis in Australia since 1999 when the range of Creon® products (pancreatic extract minimicrospheres) was first marketed in Australia. This pancreatic enzyme preparation helps patients with Cystic Fibrosis who are deficient in or lack pancreatic enzymes to digest their food better and avoid malnutrition.

Through our long-standing association with Cystic Fibrosis Australia, in 2006 Solvay were privileged to be the first company to take sole sponsorship of the Cystic Fibrosis Australia corporate car; "Car 13" and we sent two of our most senior sales managers along on the rally.

For Solvay it was not just excellent exposure to the CF community, but a fantastic team building exercise as well. Spending 10 days navigating your way through the outback really means you have to work together as a team. With each person on the team knowing their role everything runs smoothly and the journey is fantastic. It's a great way to bring staff together while having a damn good time and seeing some of the most remote parts of Australia!

The Great Escape attracts a diverse variety of people all united in the cause of raising awareness of, and funds for Cystic Fibrosis and who are all in it for the fun of the journey. The whole event is extremely well organised and always great fun both on the road and off.

Solvay will be back for more fun in 2007 - we will have our own car and the team will be bigger!

Tony Potter
Solvay Pharmaceuticals

Great Escape Testimonial 2004

To the organisation of the Great Escape.

Hereby I want to thank everybody who was on the rally 2004.

You all made my holiday in Australia one I'll never forget.

Just thinking about it made me feel not happy while I'm in the Netherlands again.

Not only seeing a lot off Australia, but have made so many friends during the rally.

I hope that we have raised enough money for Cystic Fibrosis, and I hope that what I have done will help!
Again, thank you all for this unforgettable vacation!

I hope that the next time I'll be in Australia, I'll be invited again!


Kind regards,
the Flying Dutchman Marcel de Groot

Great Escape Testimonial 2003,

The Great Escape is a unique way of playing in our biggest backyard, called The Australian Outback. No pictures can capture the experience that a rally like the Great Escape offers.

The rally takes you through the adventure of living the outback for 10 days and it throws up many tests to both driver and car along the way. Not only is it a challenge to finish, it is a way of driving through the bush with new mates from all different walks of life.

Bash Buddies are mates you make along the way and you all share in an experience that is very difficult to put into words. The Great Escape is certainly an escape from whatever world you may be living before you left.

The Great Escape differs from other rallies because of its size. The organisers of this rally are very much a part of the action both day and night. Bringing the Indians and Chiefs together, they are there to ensure the rally is fun without compromising the obvious management details of organising such an event. Long days driving are kept to a minimum without sacrificing some of the most remote and challenging sections of road that the Australian countryside has to offer.

We have participated in these types of rallies for many years. In 2003 we ventured into new ground with the Great Escape. In only their second year they have managed to achieve what we believe is one of the greatest ways of travelling around Australia.

We’ll be back for more Great Escapes,
The Bobs (Car 3377 ARARAT Victoria)