By Molly Magennis
The Yarraville Girl Guides will represent Girl Guides Victoria in Moomba’s Birdman Rally this weekend in a fundraising effort for Backpacks 4 VIC Kids.
The iconic Birdman Rally will take place in Birrarung Marr on Sunday March 13, and sees competitors attempt to soar across the Yarra River with the help of a homemade flying apparatus. The 2022 rally marks the third year Girl Guides Victoria have participated in the event.
Lily Lopez from the Yarraville Ranger Girl Guides is set to man the flying machine which will be in the shape of a backpack to represent the charity they’re raising money for.
It’s made out of donated and recycled materials such as cardboard, chicken wire, bamboo and hessian bags.
Backpacks 4 VIC Kids is a not for profit organisation that provides essential items like clothing, sleepwear and toiletries for children in foster care.
Lily said the Yarraville unit wanted to choose a charity that worked closely with young people as the Girl Guides are a youth based organisation.
“In our Guide Promise we promise to give back to the community,” she said.
“We have the charity logo on the backpack, and the craft is blue with the Guiding Trefoil on it to represent Girl Guides Victoria. We have taken inspiration from both groups.”
As the pilot, Lily said she is a bit nervous about the event but knows what an awesome experience it will be.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience and it’s going to a good cause so I’m happy and excited to do it.”
So far the girls have raised almost $2,500 towards their $10,000 target.
Donations can be made via: birdmanrally2022.gofundraise.com.au/page/GirlGuidesB4VK
