V8 Supercar driver Ryan Gilroy will not only be racing for himself at Townsville this weekend, he’s hitting the circuit for his beloved hometown, too.
Like most people throughout the Hunter Valley and beyond, the 22-year-old was deeply affected by last month’s Greta bus tragedy, which claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including several sportsmen and women from the Singleton Roosters AFL club.
Now, the self-confessed Singletonian wants to help support the survivors as well as the victims’ immediate families.
In collaboration with Newcastle-based artist Jordan Lucky, Gilroy has commissioned a one-of-a-kind street art bonnet, honouring those who were taken too soon.
The piece, featuring the town’s iconic Sundial and a coal train, will be front and centre on his Bowers Heavy Haulage ex-Triple Eight Holden VF Commodore when it zooms around the streets of north-eastern Queensland from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 July.
And, the commemorative hood is being auctioned online by Grays.com up until the end of the 2023 Townsville 500.
All proceeds raised will be donated to the fund co-managed by the NSW Government and Rotary Australia, which offers financial relief and assistance to those impacted by that heart-breaking evening.
“I just wanted to do it because Singleton and the Hunter Valley, in general, has been so supportive of my racing career thus far… and they continue to back me in whatever direction I choose to go, which I’m forever thankful for,” Gilroy said.
“So, if I can play a role and raise some money to help others, I’m more than happy to.
“I didn’t know the victims directly.
“But, my heart goes out to all the families of them, and the survivors, who were involved in this tragic incident.
“It’s never nice to see something like this so close to home… and be so affected.”
One positive, Gilroy stated, was the outpouring of support throughout the town.
“It’s been fantastic to witness everyone unite during this tough period, trying to build each other up and bringing back the joyful spirits in one another,” he said.
“That’s why Singleton is such a strong, tight-knit community.
“Just look at the other weekend… when the sporting fraternity got behind them.
“From league to union, and everything in between, there were minutes of silence and other tributes, while players wore armbands.
“Obviously, they are all team sports.
“However, essentially, they’re like a family, too.
“They spend a lot of time in each other’s company and it was great to see all types of sporting codes, and associations in Singleton and the greater Hunter, band together in support.
“I love what Jordan has created as well.
“And, I’m very grateful for the partners that have jumped onboard, including Stockland Green Hills, the Newcastle Weekly, NewFM radio and Grays.
“Without their support, we wouldn’t have been able to do this project.”
Gilroy and Lucky, a prominent creative, muralist, illustrator and digital designer, unveiled the “work of art” at a fundraising event on Sunday 2 July.
To make a bid for the bonnet, go to grays.
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- Cakeboi owner Reece Hignell savours Beaumont Road upgrade
- Maitland cricketers catch $1.9m windfall
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