More than 100 Otago and Southland truck drivers will take children for a joyride around Dunedin during the annual Special Rigs for Special Kids day.
Special Rigs organising committee president Greg Inch said it was the 32nd year of the event and it was still just as simple as when it started.
"It’s just about getting together the kids with the drivers and going for a ride."
When it started, Special Rigs was put together in about six weeks and about 30 truck drivers brought along a barbecue and took the children along on a cruise.
Most of the drivers are coming from Otago and Southland.
"The drivers come back and say ‘this is good what you’re doing. Let’s keep doing it’."
Special Rigs catered for about 350 children and their families but he had no idea how many people would turn up until the day of the event, Mr Inch said.
He had organised about 1000 meat patties, 2500 sausages, 40kg of chopped onions and 20kg of coleslaw.
The event was not a fundraiser. It was just about giving children a fun experience.
Second-generation drivers and children were coming back to take part.
A Dunedin principal told him for some children the day was bigger than Christmas, Mr Inch said.
It was humbling to be able to give back to the Dunedin community.
"You can’t beat the smile on the kids’ faces."
