Fiat-tastic fundraiser
Written by Jaidyn Du Plessis
When dreams are given the chance to become reality, most will see it as a miracle, but in the case of Danny and Maria D’Mello, the dream of their fundraiser was brought to fruition by adversity. The Fiat-tastic fundraiser is an event where Danny, Maria and their two children will drive in their red FIAT 500 all the way from Melbourne to Sydney and back. At first you may see it as a peculiar idea, but by learning the story of Danny and Maria’s friend, you’ll understand the true meaning of this event.
Rob Costa, was a close friend to Maria. He had worked with Maria at Werribee Mitsubishi for over three years, and during that time they became good friends, exchanging stories about their families and even getting the chance to have Rob’s daughter, Madeleine, come and work alongside them, eventually taking over Maria’s position when she inevitably left. Despite leaving, they still remained good friends. Everything seemed to be going well for these two families, until late 2023, where Rob was diagnosed with cancer, and admitted to Palliative Care at Werribee Mercy Hospital. During Rob’s time there, Maria would visit daily to comfort her friend however she could, even if it was just a nice conversation. At some point Maria mentioned their little dream to drive their red FIAT 500 from Melbourne to Sydney and back to raise funds for a cause they cared deeply about, though they couldn’t quite get enough motivation to really do it. Rob, who was quite the car fanatic, endorsed the idea, and encouraged them to follow through with it. After 3 weeks in Palliative Care, on the 14th of December 2023, Rob passed from cancer. The grief that plagued both the lives of Rob’s family and Maria’s was unbearable, though what brought them comfort was being able to see what Mercy Palliative Care did for Rob. The support that they brought for both him and his family, during such a hard time was invaluable. Maria saw it first hand during her visits, and could not be more thankful for what they’ve done. With this, the dream that Danny and Maria had, was brought to life, as they dedicate their drive to Rob’s memory, and all the money they raise to go to Mercy Palliative Care, so that other families are able to be comforted as Rob’s was during their hardship.
On the 14th of April, Danny, Maria, and their children will be at Wyndham Harbour, for a car meet, exhibiting the FIAT 500 that they intend to drive to Sydney in, as well as many other high end cars, encouraging everybody interested to bring their own vehicles to celebrate and honour the life of Rob Costa. The car meet will require a gold coin donation in order to enter and will last from 9:00AM-1:00PM, following which, Danny, Maria and their children will depart on their journey to Sydney and back.
In conjunction with this event, Murnane Print will be sharing their support via Fiat-tastic branded shirts and trolley tokens to help spread the word. These Fiat-tastic branded shirts for Danny and Maria to wear and trolley tokens donated from Murnane Print are all to help this cause. Murnane Print are hoping this is a creative way to thank donors and encourage more people to join in supporting this important cause. Remember, every little bit of support makes a difference, and and we hope these tokens of appreciation help people feel valued and motivated to continue spreading the word.
If you have a family member who is at risk of needing Palliative Care, or just want to show your support then everybody involved at Fiat-tastic including Murnane Print encourages you to donate to this cause, and if you have a car that you are proud of and would love to show off, feel more than welcome to do so at the car meet, where you could help attract more people into entering the event with a small donation. Every donation helps this heart warming cause, bringing us one step closer to making a positive impact in our community. Your generosity and participation will not only make a difference in the lives of those in need but also serve as a beacon of hope and unity for us all. Let’s come together, spread the word, and contribute in any way we can to create a brighter future for everyone. Thank you for being a part of this meaningful journey.
A big thank you to the 7 main sponsors, this wouldn’t be possible without their awesome support.
Living Prospect Real Estate – Looking to rent or buy property in the West of Melbourne? Living Prospect Real Estate understands the needs of their clients whether you are selling, buying, leasing, or renting, your needs are first priority.
Money Quest Werribee – Your local MoneyQuest finance specialists, servicing Werribee and it’s surrounding areas. Here to help you find the right finance solutions for your circumstances and lifestyle.
Werribee Mitsubishi – Located in Hoppers Crossing, VIC, offers great value deals on New and Used Mitsubishi vehicles.
Western United Football Club – Is an Australian professional Football club. The club is based in the western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit, the club aims to represent western Victoria.
Wyndham Harbour – A beautiful modern marina located on the north western shore of Port Phillip Bay.
The Park Werribee – West’s favourite destination for great food, an extensive beverage selection, and late-night entertainment.
Quest Werribee – Serviced apartment style hotel rooms offer guests a relaxed and comfortable Werribee accommodation experience perfect for short or long stays.
