HEAVY rain and challenging conditions did not dampen the spirits of the Life Pharmacy Group (LPG) and Independent Pharmacies of Australia (IPA) team that hit the road for the 10th annual Beyond Bitumen Rally, raising funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.
The entourage of 72 vehicles travelled almost 2,000 kilometres from Taree to Port Stephens via Grafton and Armidale over four days.
Led by IPA Group founder and Executive Director Michael Flannery, The Cavaliers raised more than $34,000 for the charity this year, taking the fundraising honours for an individual participating car.
"We've been taking part in the Beyond Bitumen Rally for seven years now," said Founder and Executive Director of IPA Group, Michael Flannery (pictured right, with IPA's CTO Warwick Marx, left).
"It all started after a mate of mine shared his mental health battles and the role Beyond Blue played in supporting him during his darkest times," Flannery shared.
"It didn't take us long to find ourselves a car, and The Cavaliers was formed."
Men are three times more likely than women to take their lives in Australia, with remoteness a major contributing factor.
Growing up in regional Australia, The Cavaliers understand the importance of checking in on friends and seeking appropriate support if sad or anxious.
"Most of us grew up in the bush and this rally is a great opportunity to hit the road with our mates, see parts of the country we may not have experienced previously, support communities along the way, and raise money for Beyond Blue," Flannery said.
"Our industry peers have always been very supportive and without them, we wouldn't have reached our fundraising target."
Flannery thanked major sponsors Life Pharmacy Group, Chemists Own of the DBG Health Group, and the Independent Pharmacies of Australia Group.
"As a team, we're very proud to have raised more than $200,000 for the rally over the past seven years, and we're thankful for the support we've received from our colleagues, friends, and families along the way," Flannery concluded.
Since its inception, the Beyond Bitumen Rally has raised more than $3.5 million for the charity. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 30 Apr 25
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 30 Apr 25
