The 11th annual i98fm Camp Quality Convoy did more than help kids with cancer.
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It showed how much good there is in the world and in what a lucky place we live.
Marty Haynes, of i98fm, said there was a different mood leading into convoy on Saturday but by Sunday nothing could dampen the community spirit that shines in the Illawarra.
“I think it (Paris) probably put a different twist on it,” he said.
“We all feel the sorrow of what has gone on in the last 24 hours. We were pretty rocked when we heard about that while we were setting up. But we remained positive. We were all looking at each other thinking we live in a very special place.”
A minute’s silence was held for victims in Paris and other parts of the world.
“We wanted to pay respect for those who have lost their lives,” Haynes said.
Not even the weather could dampen the event. Rain, hail or shine he knew Convoy would go ahead and put sunshine into the lives of many children.
But a sleepless night leading into the event is not unusual.
“I am like a kid on Christmas eve really,” he said.
“I don’t sleep much because I am always a bit restless and anxious. But when the alarm went of at 3.15 I grabbed the kids (Taylor, 16, and Jackson, 14). They were just as excited..as we hopped into the truck with our little esky loaded up for a big day.”
The 11th convoy had 764 trucks and 950 bikes. $1.3 million was raised before the first engine started. Trucks came from as far as Western Australia and Central Queensland.
“Everyone was in a good mood and I think it is going to end up a great result,” Haynes said.
“I think the crowds were a little bigger this year. There were thousands of people lined up along the road. It was unbelievable. It was incredible the amount of purple convoy shirts I saw. It was a sea of purple.”
By Wednesday Haynes is confident he will be able to announce a figure of around $1.6 million for Camp Quality to help local kids with cancer.
“People just love it. And that little boy Lachlan, who was in the second truck, he was such a sick boy at the age of seven. When his mum and dad..put him in the truck we thought we don’t have to worry about a thing. If it rains it rains. As long as it puts a smile on his face. That’s the main thing.”