Rob Starcic, of Coastal Windows and Doors, is the winner of the right to be lead truck in the i98FM Camp Quality Convoy on Sunday.
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Mr Starcic spent made the biggest donation to i98FM Breakfast Show hosts Marty Haynes and Fairlie Hamilton on Thursday morning.
The annual fundraiser is all about helping local kids with cancer.
Despite not having a trucking background Mr Starcic made the winning bid of $220,000 to earn the right to lead the convoy for a second time.
Inspired by the 2012 Convoy he and his brother Anthony Starcic got their truck licences so they could be the lead truck in 2013.
This time they have 13 trucks in the lead group and are giving the honour of being lead truck to Alan Doherty, of Doherty Transport, who was also part of the winning bid.
In a second truck called “Loving Lachy”, will be young cancer fighter Lachlan Heanes and his grandfather Mark Heanes.
Mr Starcic will be in the third truck and travelling with him in spirit will be three people who have lost their battle with cancer.
There are tributes on his truck to his father Vittorio Starcic and late friends Tamara Bianco and Carol Raschilla.
Mr Starcic said it was a great cause.
“It is not about business or anything. It is all about the kids,” he said.
Derek McMahon, of the People’s Truck, contributed $210,000 to the cause. He was involved with Mr Starcic on organising the “Loving Lachy” truck. Illawarra Truck Repairs and Spares donated $123,000 and MJ Rowles’ $117,000.
Mr Starcic’s daughter Bianca Starcic was heavily involved in getting the winning bid together.
Watching the community spirit associated with the annual event is what inspires the family so much.
On Wednesday $92,300 was the winning donation from Caltex and the Mount Kembla Pub for lead bike. $190,434.50 was raised in that auction. So before an engine even starts on Sunday, $1.3 million has been raised. Organisers are confident of exceeding last year’s total of $1,578,190.
The Convoy departs from Illawarra Coal’s West Cliff Colliery on Appin Rd around 8:15am. It will come down down Mt Ousley, through Warrawong and past Stockland Shellharbour and onto Croome Road. A free Family Fun Day follows with performances by Justice Crew, Nathaniel and Luke Koteras .
