Right up their rally

By Nicole Williams
A DANDENONG business has thrown its support behind the team of Sergeant M, who has been injured himself and lost close friends in the Blackhawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan last year.
“Things like that make you appreciate the fact that the trust bridges the gap,” he said.
The Commando Welfare Trust was launched to support the families of serving and ex-serving commandos who have been killed or injured in the course of duty.
The trust aims to provide financial support for the education and emergency expenses of the commandos and their families.
Sergeant M bought the 1972 Datsun 240Z in January last year after returning injured from Afghanistan, and work started on the car in September last year thanks to major sponsors HM Gem Engines, Kuhmo Tyres, Ansvar Insurance and Castrol.
“Without those guys (the sponsors) it wouldn’t have been possible,” Sergeant M said.
The car will compete against 350 cars in 20th anniversary of the Targa Tasmania rally on 5 April to 10 April.
Sergeant M said the rally was also a “pie in the sky sort of thing” that most people with an interest in motorsport wanted to do.
“I just thought I could try to achieve that and at the same time raise awareness,” he said.
Sergeant M and his fellow commandos hope to raise $100,000 and any money raised will be split between Team Legacy Assist and the Commando Welfare Trust.
Three Dandenong businesses are Trustees for the Commando Welfare Trust – Bruce Parker from HM Gem Engines, Peter Laverick from Macpherson + Kelly Lawyers and John D’Arcy-Evans from Grant Thornton Lawyers. To support the Commando Welfare Trust visit www.commandotrust.com or to support Team Legacy Assist visit www.everydayhero.com.au/team_legacy_assist
*The identity of the commandos cannot be revealed due to Army policy.