Tooting horns and the steady grumble of trucks and motorbikes filled the Illawarra on Sunday as more than 1500 vehicles took part in the annual i98FM Camp Quality Convoy.
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A host of colourful characters, including Spiderman, Gumby and a Despicable Me minion, flicked on their headlights and made their way from Appin Road, down Mt Ousley and through Warrawong and Shellharbour before finishing the day at Croome Road at Albion Park.
Despite the heavy rain, people lined long swathes of the route, waving banners and cheering on the 755 trucks and 860 motorbikes in the convoy.
The event had already raised $750,000 by the end of last week and i98FM promotions manager Tia Robins was confident this year’s convoy would hit the $1 million mark. The final amount raised should be known by the end of this week.
Ms Robins said at least 6,000 people had braved the wet to line the roads and enjoy the market stalls, rides and entertainment by singers Guy Sebastian and Damien Leith at the free family fun day at the Croome Road Sporting Complex following the drive.
‘‘The crowd has been great, they’re out in the rain and they’ve realised what the cause is for, so a little bit of rain hasn’t hurt anyone.’’
Friends and family of Kanahooka teen Cassie Nascimento, who lost her three-year battle with brain cancer last week, paid tribute to the young woman by fixing her picture to the front of one of the trucks and wearing shirts that spelled out her name.
Nearly $4 million has been raised for Camp Quality Illawarra since Convoy was first held in 2005.
