4WD Club fines donated to animal lifesavers

Stuff-ups, bogs and breakdowns may have hurt a few four-wheel-drivers’ egos over the past year, but their misadventures will help treat and re-home animals which come through SAFE’s doors.

Red Dog 4WD Club donated its annual fines collection tin, which raked in $1439 last financial year, to SAFE at its club meeting last week.

Club sheriff Bill Despotovksi said it wasn’t just the misdemeanours which attracted fines during his tenure.

“My take-up for last year was even if you laugh, you end up getting fined,” he said.

“All members are just part of that culture that we know we are donating to a good cause.

“We had a couple of members that won large prizes at the Christmas do. They auctioned that and donated $300 back into the donation tin — that to me just speaks volumes.”

SAFE founder Sue Hedley said the money would be put towards vet bills such as desexing, vaccinating and microchipping.

“We struggle to keep up with all the lifesaving work because our operation is so massive,” she said.

“So it is heartwarming to have groups like the 4WD club raise money for us.”

Funds raised from this year’s fines tin will go towards Pilbara Princess, but the girls have already got a leg-up with a $500 donation towards this year’s Variety Bash efforts from the club.

President Mark Hannon was one of the most regular contributors to the fines tin.

“My car broke down once so i got fined for that, then I sold my Nissan Patrol and bought a 200 series Toyota which I got fined for too,” he said.

“One lady also got fined for a very, very well done dark black damper.”

Mr Hannon said Pilbara Princess was another worthy, local charity for the club to get behind.