More than $1.8 million dollars was raised last November and funding criteria information is available at illawarraconvoy.com.au .

The announcement came on Thursday when the Illawarra Community Foundation presented Camp Quality with $500,000 to help cover the costs of their programs locally for children and their families who are living with cancer.

Camp Quality chief executive officer Kylea Tink said Camp Quality presently supports nearly 200 Illawarra children from more than 70 families. She said that could not be done without the kind of support the Illawarra Convoy provided.

“We are certainly very grateful for this support,” Ms Tink said.

The 2016 convoy will help many other people in need in the Illawarra region as well.

Submissions are open between now and March 10, 2017 for the general public and local charities to apply for funding through the Illawarra Community Foundation established in 2016.

Those facing potentially life threatening illnesses can apply for a grant to help with medical and living expenses, along with local charities who assist members of the community facing similar situations.

Event creator and breakfast show host Marty Haynes said he felt proud the foundation was going to be able to help others in the community doing it tough.

“When someone you love is facing a life threatening illness, there are more important things to worry about than money. So our dream in establishing the foundation has been to help relieve some of the financial pressure faced by individuals and their families during such a difficult time. Today is the realisation of that dream.”

Funding criteria and application information is available at illawarraconvoy.com.au .