This year’s i98 Illawarra Convoy looks set to raise over $2 million dollars with more than 700 trucks and 900 motorcycles already registered for Sunday’s event.
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At last count the tally was already up to $1.93 million on Friday afternoon.
Those still wanting to get in on the action have until 4pm Saturday to submit their registration.
However, there’s no chance to lead the procession with “The Dandaloo Boys” (a collection of Illawarra businesses including Rob and Anthony Starcic and Alan Doherty) bidding $300,000 to take top spot.
While Caltex and Mt Kembla Pub will lead the bikes.
“To see little kids that are suffering from cancer or suffering from other diseases, we know we’re helping them,” Rob Starcic said, of being passionate about the cause for the past four years.
Mr Starcic’s own father was taken by cancer while more recently he watched family friend Tamara Bianco, a lively 16-year-old, also succumb to the disease.
The shiny red truck to lead the pack from Appin to Albion Park Rail will not only take the Dandaloo’s but also Olivia Koloski.
The little girl was diagnosed with Wilms tumor last February, a cancer common in children which starts in the kidneys.
“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,” mum Amanda Koloski told the Mercury previously.
i98 radio announcer Fairlie Hamilton said it still “blows her mind” to see how many people line the streets to watch the procession every year.
Convoy kicks off around 8am from two locations: West Cliff Colliery at Wedderburn Road and Old Princes Highway at Darkes Forest, Sublime Point.
It then travels via police escort on the M1 down Mt Ousley to Masters Road, Spring Hill Road, Five Islands Road, Windang Road, Shellharbour Road, Lake Entrance Road through to Oak Flats and finishing at Croome Road Sporting Complex, Albion Park Rail.
Multi-ARIA winner Alex Lloyd and motocross stunt riders will headline the family fun day to welcome participants.
This year it was announced the annual charity event would reach wider with the Illawarra Community Foundation set up to distribute funds raised to Camp Quality and others who are facing potentially life threatening illness.
Submissions for funding will come January 2017.