National Denning Muster "The Black Dog" Bus Appeal
Hi all
DISCLAIMER THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE BLACK DOG INSTITUTE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM The bus will not be Owned or operated by the Black dog institute
The black dog bus is its own initiative and will be promoting mental health thru ALL available resources
My name is Brad Buckland and I am the founder behind the National Denning (Bus & Coach) Muster to be held in Echuca Victoria september 12 &13 2020
The entire idea stems from my life long Love of the almighty Denning and my constant struggles with Depression, Many of you may not know my entire adult life I have fought and won many solo battles with the "Black Dog" Starting in 1994 with the suicide of my Best mate in secondary school Then 1995 watching my employer and mentor pass away in a tragic accident right before my eyes 1996 I lost my grandmother who played a major part in my life Then in 1997 my life fell apart when I lost my mother it took me years to find myself again and the only way I could do that was to be an interstate truck driver and be constantly on the run from or too busy to deal with or worry about depression ... On the road i was First on scene too a number of tragic accidents that began to compound and reignite my depression to the point interstate driving was no longer my safe space or happy place so I quit the road and took on the role of the carer for my father who was deteriorating slowly after a stroke it took 7 years and I tell you all it was the hardest 7 yrs of my life nursing him at home as he went blind became bedridden with a catheter permanently I was cleaning him up when he showering him on my own in the end his dementia got so bad he would just poo the bed without calling for me to put him on the toilet .... but you know that given the chance I would do it all again for 20 years if I had too but this led to my most recent battle with depression which was when I lost him in 2014
When I reflect on some of the happiest times in my life they were As a child growing up riding in a denning bus with dad ...
SO to give myself a reason to live and keep me active and focused and in a happy place in life the National Denning Muster was Born
With the help of the ATHS providing me with the venue and a bit of mentoring and with lots of encouragement and assistance from Geoff Mead and a few others, the muster is well on its way to being a big show with over 70 vehicles tentatively booked ...
As my Muster has grown so has my ambition
The ultimate Goal was to purchase an old Denning Bus to be done up as a promotional vehicle for Mental health awarness tool to attend public events Australia wide raising awareness to mental health via all the available mental health services
I have raised the funds via this go fund me to purchased the Bus and now the work starts to make her transformation into the black dog
As with any old vehicle, there is a lot of structural repair work to be done due to rust before it can head off to the paint and panel shop ..
These repairs in materials and labour are estimated to cost up to 3000 or 4000 to complete Once these repairs are done it's on the road to
Coachcare in Nambucca heads who have graciously donated bodywork and paint to do it as my vision
Tony from Michel Signs Shepparton has pledged to do all sign writing
In addition to this, I have had
Laurie Pincini and the team at Rockleigh Tours Pledge a set of tyres
Ozcan Kuvanci at Skylight buslines has donated LED lights all the way around Alloy rims and The bull bar to be blasted repaired and polished mirror finish :)
Marcus Prillwitz and the team at Victorian Diesel Services has graciously donated some mechanical work and a roadworthy certificate
So as you can see MY dream has become real and is so close now your donations will help
Thank you for your time reading this
Brad Buckland
Due to the unknown charges associated with GO FUND ME, I have had to raise the goal by $1000
Only to cover the said charges