Now in its fifth year the Cruisin’ Along rally has so far raised $300,00 to provide accommodation for people in Orange as they undergo treatment for cancer.

The group of 30 cars and 65 people will wind their way through Lake Cargelligo, to Broken Hill, into South Australia before returning to Orange on Saturday, May 11.

Rally organiser Terry Davis said rally participants would be holding fundraisers and raffles as they travelled the 2920 kilometre course.

“We have a $100,000 target for this year’s rally,” he said.

Cancer Care Western fundraising chair Jan Savage said the lodge had been essential for more than 500 people since it opened in October 2012.

“People arrive not expecting to have that standard of accommodation, they say it’s like a resort and so much better than they’d imagined,” she said. “It’s just sheer joy from people and that’s what it is.”

This year’s Cruisin’ Along rally will raise funds for the $1.4 million stage two construction.

Stage two will contain eight twin rooms so people undergoing treatment can bring along their partner or family member for support.

Since the lodge opened Mrs Savage said she had witnessed the camaraderie between patients.

“They know that there’s people there next to them that are going through the same thing,” she said.

“When you’re going through cancer not even your family understands.”

Come along to the Robin Hood Hotel on Friday to see Cruisin’ Along rally participants depart at 10am.

For more information on the rally visit www.cruisin-along.org.au, or to donate to the Western Care Lodge visit www.ccwest.org.au/howtohelp.php.