Scootaville is a charity ride that tours outback QLD and NSW to support two wonderful charities, Legacy which cares for the families of hurt or missing veterans and The Air Force Association which cares for homeless veterans.

The annual event started as ‘Scootabor’, a ride on 50cc bikes across the Nullabor in 2014, organised by Jake Jacobsen.

Now it has grown into an initiative run by the Radschool Association. Last year, 31 men and women set out from Boonah and headed off on an 18-day journey through Dalby, Roma, Charleville, Blackall, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Charters Towers and finished in Townsville.

The group managed to raise $30,200 from their efforts while on the back of 110cc Honda and Suzuki scooters and a 160cc Kymco.

This year’s Scootaville will see men and women leave Chermside on August 30, taking it in turns to ride small motor scooters.

The journey will take 18 days and will cover 2,390km travelling via and stopping overnight in Warwick, Goondiwindi, Toowoomba for two nights, Caloundra for two nights, Gayndah, Gladstone for two nights, Rockhampton for two nights, Mackay, Bowen for two nights and Ayr, before finishing at the Army Base in Townsville.

Radschool Association Secretary and Treasurer, Trevor Benneworth said it’s a wonderful event.

“Apart from raising funds for Legacy, the event provides an opportunity for the men and women taking part to form new friendships, meet some wonderful people along the way, see and enjoy some outback hospitality and in a friendly and social atmosphere, to mix with their peers and discuss any troubles they might have.”

Councils along the route open up their showgrounds for the participants to spend their nights and a lot of Lions Clubs along the way also help out with food and welcome the crew into each of the towns.

A similar event is also happening in NSW with the men and women involved starting their jourey on November 21, travelling through Windsor, Singleton, Mudgee, Dubbo, Parkes, Wagga, Canberra, Bathurst and back to Windsor.

Before they leave for the QLD event, Scootaville will host a special charity event on August 29 from 7pm to 10:30pm at the Kedron Wavell Services Club, which will host special guests including Ian Healy, Pat Welsh, Trevor Gillmeister and Merv Hughes.

The charity event will include food, drinks and live music featuring the Australian Army Band Brisbane, as well as a special charity auction.

Tickets are $75 per person or $700 for a table of 10.

Tickets can be purchased online at radschool.org.au/KWSC or anyone with table booking, and event enquiries can call 07 3359 9122