CHARLEVILLE woke to the sound of 4WD engines on Monday morning, as a fleet of offroaders made for Toompine.

One truck in particular drew the attention of locals, branded with a Murweh shire sticker.

The shire donated $1000 through former locals Kyle and Glenda Keir as part of $5000 the couple raised for the children’s charity.

Formerly of Cunnamulla and Morven, the couple now live in Brisbane, and work in construction.

They had intended to take part in the trek, and wrote to council to see what assistance was available.

Now comes their turn: the long, largely off-road drive through Birdsville to the Barossa Valley over the next fortnight.

It’s a 5500km trip, according to organiser Rob Goodman, with drivers travelling from as far as Melbourne.

Murweh shire mayor Annie Liston explained the donation as a way to “help sick kids”..

“We supported them because it is such a worthy project and it’s getting our name (Murweh shire) out there,” Cr Liston said.

All told the group raised a quarter of a million dollars in total for charity.