It will be lucky 13 for Illawarra Convoy on November 19 when more than 700 trucks and 1000 motorbikes raise funds to help local charities.
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Members of the truck and motorbike community gathered in a new location for the launch on Monday where they mixed with many of the funding recipients from the $1.8 million raised during the 2016 convoy last November.
There was plenty of excitement as i98FM Illawarra Convoy & Illawarra Community Foundation announced a $250,000 contribution to support stage one of the Wollongong Public Hospital Children’s Ward Redevelopment project.
It was a perfect spring morning for i98FM’s Marty Haynes, Christie Hayes and Ryan Cram to do the official launch at Kiama Blowhole. It recognised that the annual convoy is a region-wide fundraiser with money raised distributed broadly including organisations such as Can Assist Shoalhaven, South Coast Disabled Surfers Association and Kiama Lions Club Carers Respite Cottage. Other recipients from funds raised in 2016 included Illawarra Cancer Carers, Port Kembla Public Hospital, Shellharbour Public Hospital and the Leukaemia Foundation.
The Illawarra Convoy route remains unchanged with trucks and motorbikes travelling 70 kilometres from Appin Rd to Croome Rd.
The total raised from the last 12 years is $9.5 million which means Illawarra Convoy will pass the $10 million target in 2017.
i98FM Illawarra Convoy manager Mark Rigby said the excitement is definitely building for another big event this year.
Mr Rigby said it “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 our local businesses”.
“We’ve got a massive day planned and look forward to seeing the Illawarra come out in force to support other families who are doing it tough due to life threatening medical conditions,” Mr Rigby said.
The recently launched Illawarra Community Foundation distributes funds to a range of groups and individuals. The are chosen as the result of a submissions process.
Illawarra Convoy founder Marty Haynes said the bigger the community event became the more individuals and groups in the Illawarra and on the South Coast were able to be supported.
“We are lucky to have some amazing organisations in the region supporting people suffering from life threatening medical conditions,” he said.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Kids and Families clinical director Dr Susie Piper said the $250,000 contribution announced on Monday would help bring the first phase of the Children’s Ward redevelopment to life.
“This funding will enable us to reconfigure the ward to enhance the way we provide services to the more than 3600 patients we see each year,” Dr Piper said.
“We look forward to building a lasting relationship with Convoy that will greatly benefit the kids and families of the Illawarra.”
Truck and motorbike registrations are now open online at www.illawarraconvoy.com.au.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
