“The seventh of December this year will be 22 years since we lost Daniel,” says Bruce Morcombe. “And even now, no matter what state or territory in Australia we’re in, no matter what day of the week, I can guarantee somebody comes up to either Denise or myself acknowledging our work and thanking us and appreciating the journey we've been on.” 

Bruce and Denise Morcombe have been on that journey since 2005 – just two years after their son Daniel was abducted and murdered on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in one of Australia’s most notorious cases.

For more than two decades, the couple has driven over a million kilometres crossing the country on a crusade to bring attention to educate school children about personal safety. Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) is proud to have supported the Morcombe’s journey for the past 13 years. 

This October, to celebrate 20 years of the Daniel Morcombe foundation, IUA was honoured to host ‘4WD for Daniel’, a three-day fundraising event at Queensland’s Double Island Point.

A unique event aligned to IUA’s I-Venture Club, the extended weekend saw Bruce and Denise’s MU-X join head trainer Dave Darmody and a mix of experienced and novice off-road enthusiasts at one of Australia’s most spectacular locations.  

While the couple is onto their fifth IUA vehicle – they’ve alternated between both D-MAX and MU-X during the long-standing partnership – Bruce says they’ve rarely left the tarmac.  

“We’re not beach drivers!” laughs Bruce. “But it is an awesome experience: the wet compacted sand, the waves crashing just a few metres to the side of the car, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. I understand how it becomes addictive. Something very different to 50,000km, conservatively, that we drive every year!” 

“Denise and I are really incredibly proud that our 13-year association with Isuzu has blossomed a fundraising event, 4WD for Daniel,” says Bruce. “It’s a really special day.”

The inaugural 4WD for Daniel was held just ahead of the annual Day for Daniel, which occurs on the last Friday of October each year. Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day, it’s an occasion that’s become even more important in an increasingly digital world. 

“Threats are no longer necessarily just loitering in public toilet blocks,” says Bruce. “They’re also online.” 

“That’s why the Daniel Morcombe Foundation does what it does, which is to be at the cutting edge of where the predators are, educating the kids on how to recognise potential danger, how to react, and – importantly – to report anything they feel is not quite right.” 

Parents, carers, and guardians, along with educators, police, youth workers, are encouraged to visit the Daniel Morcombe Foundation website, where they’ll find free resources for children and young people’s personal safety education. From bullying to cyber bullying, mental health and combating and preventing abuse, the organisation offers myriad ways to safeguard some of the most vulnerable Australians. 

“If there was one message I could pass on to kids, or any adult survivor for that matter, it’s that if something's happened to you, is happening to you now, or has happened to you in the past, please come forward and report,” says Bruce.  

“You can do that to your teacher, to mum and dad, to your auntie or uncle. You can do it to the Kids Helpline, police or even eSafety. There is no shame, there is no stigma attached. You will be believed, and you will be cared for.”