Police have hosed down social media outrage claiming they were fining Illawarra Convoy participants for not wearing seatbelts.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A reader post on the Illawarra Mercury Facebook page suggested a truck driver was being fined for driving with unrestrained children on Sunday.
Others replied with similar reports of police pulling over Convoy drivers.
But Wollongong Police Inspector Mark Walker said no fines had been issued.
‘’It happens every year. Details have been taken but no fines have been issued at this point of time,’’ Inspector Walker said.
The Mercury understands Convoy drivers were informed normal road rules would apply and were given a list of general driving offences and their punishments.
Despite this hundreds of people lined the city streets to cheer on the 700 trucks and 1000 motorcycles taking part.
The Convoy started at Illawarra Coal’s West Cliff Colliery and made its way down Mt Ousley, through Warrawong and past Stockland Shellharbour before stopping at Croome Road Sporting Complex for a free Family Fun Day.
Before an engine even started on Sunday, organisers had already raised $1.310 million from both the lead truck and bike donations.
When I cuddled her I broke down and cried because I knew it meant so much to her.
- Marty Haynes
The total tally raised won’t be known until at least Monday, with all funds raised in 2017 to go to the Illawarra Community Foundation.
The foundation established in January, 2017 has already provided support to 35 local families who have a member facing a life threatening illness.
I98FM radio presenter Marty Haynes said he was amazed at people’s support for Convoy and others in the community going through tough times.
‘’I’ve said from day dot we live in such a beautiful place and everyone wants to help,’’ he said.
‘’Convoy is just one of those avenues where we can go out and show people that we love and we care for them and we want to do something for them.
‘’It's probably a very dark and lonely world for someone when they find out their child is sick or a little five year-old or 10-year-old kid knows mum's got breast cancer.
‘’With the trucks and the bikes and the amount of people on the side of the road they know that they are not walking their journey alone.’’
Haynes said teaming up with the Illawarra Community Foundation allowed more kids to be helped.
‘’I took Danielle Crotty today who's got stage four breast cancer. She’s got two little boys...and her bucket list was to ride in Convoy and I said ‘’well you are coming with me’’,’’ he said.
‘’When I cuddled her I broke down and cried because I knew it meant so much to her.’’