When Charlotte Holmes, 7, left for her first camp, it wasn't just her mum waving goodbye at the station.
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Charlotte and about 70 other attendees of the Country Hope, a charity camp for children with chronic illnesses or cancer and their siblings, were farewelled by a cavalcade of rally cars and drivers from the Riverina Redneck Rally.
In the past three years the group of drivers have raised about $750,000 for Country Hope to support sick children and their families in the Riverina.
Rally driver Kari Sattler said it was great to see the children and know the money raised from the annual six day bush bash was going to help their families during tough times.
Charlotte's mum Lynda Holmes, of Albury, said the seven-year-old was diagnosed with Leukaemia about two years ago. She said the Leukaemia was currently in remission but Charlotte was still in active treatment.
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"Being with other kids who understand what she's going through [is important]," Ms Holmes said.
Wodonga's Alisa Blackshaw, whose son Seth Gordon has a brain tumour, said sometimes it was hard to find the time or money to simply have fun when one of your children was sick.
It was the first time Seth, 10, and his younger sister Hayley, 8, were going to camp.
"We learnt about country hope when Seth first diagnosed three years ago and over time they've provided our family so much support," Miss Blackshaw said.
"The main thing for me is it is a chance for the children to have fun, our children don't get chance have a lot of fun because everything goes towards medical expenses and making sure everything taken care of.
"So the chance for them to just have fun is fantastic."
Country Hope's Nathan Wimhurst and Sammi Mundy said the children would have the chance to go swimming, abseiling and participate in team challenges during the camp.
"It's time for the children to be away from hospital treatment and for mums and dads have time separate to relax," Mr Wimhurst said.
"It's like a big family and it's great to see the smile on children's faces, they're not having to worry about whatever they're going through or treatments and doctors."
The camp is also a chance for siblings to enjoy themselves, Ms Mundy said.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
