Olivia rode in a big purple Kent Collisions truck with her father Jason while mum Amanda and sister Ruby cheered her on. Her favourite things about the truck were sounding the horn and the bed behind the cabin. The experience took her mind away from the many months of treatment she had gone through as the result of a kidney cancer.

“Olivia was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor in February last year. She had surgery, radiation and eight months of chemo. So we were introduced to Camp Quality and convoy via that. Camp Quality were a great support to us,” Mrs Koloski said.

Olivia caught up with Marty Haynes and Fairlie Hamilton again on Tuesday at the launch of Illawarra Convoy for 2016 at Duren Transport in Port Kembla. The i98FM breakfast announcers were joined by members of the truck and motorbike community along with representatives from founding beneficiary Camp Quality.

Station manager Sean O’Shannassy said the excitement was definitely starting to build as convoy approached again. He said the iconic event was being rebranded the i98FM Illawarra Convoy and would support a number of groups and individuals in need.

“This means that more of the local community will benefit from the overwhelming public support that convoy receives. The event would not be the success it is without the generosity of the community, in particular the truckies and bikers who are at the heart of the convoy along with local businesses. We’ve got a great day planned and look forward to seeing the Illawarra come out in force to support others.”

An Illawarra Community Foundation has been established with all funds raised being distributed via a submissions process. Marty said the foundation looked forward to continuing to support Camp Quality while extending the reach to others who need help.

”Last year's Convoy saw 764 trucks and 960 motorbikes pass through the Illawarra on the 70 kilometre journey from Appin Road to Croome Road in Albion Park Rail. At the end of the day, a total of $1,725,057.44 was raised marking the biggest year in the event’s eleven year history and taking the grand total to $7,716,360 raised since 2005.” This year the 2016 convoy will be held on Sunday, November 20.

The trucks and bikes will start under police escort from the Illawarra Coal's West Cliff Colliery on Appin Rd at about 8am and follow a route down Mt Ousley through Warrawong and past Stockland Shellharbour before finishing at Croome Road, Albion Park Rail. At 9am a free Family Fun Day starts at the Croome Road Sporting Complex. Registrations are open at www.i98.com.au.

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