Camp Quality – the children’s cancer charity synonymous with the annual i98FM convoy – has opted to cut ties with the event in 2017.
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The charity was the sole beneficiary of the annual convoy from 2005 to 2015, receiving more than $7.7 million in funds during that period.
However in 2016, event organisers announced that the event would be broadening its focus, with a greater charitable reach.
The establishment of the Illawarra Community Foundation earlier this year allows individuals and groups to apply for funds raised during convoy.
Camp Quality remained a beneficiary last year, but many others also benefited from the $1.8 million raised. These included The Leukaemia Foundation, Illawarra Cancer Carers, South Coast Disabled Surfers Association and Port Kembla and Shellharbour public hospitals.
In a statement, a Camp Quality spokeswoman thanked i98FM for its support over the past 12 years.
‘’Camp Quality has made the decision to step away from being involved in i98FM Illawarra Convoy for this year and will therefore no longer be a beneficiary of funds raised,’’ she stated.
‘’Instead, we will be reliant on other sources of income to fund our services in the Illawarra region. Our level of services and programs provided to the community will not be impacted.
‘’Camp Quality is proud to have been associated with the development and growth of the i98FM Illawarra Convoy.
‘’We wish the organisers the very best for the future of the event.’’
Earlier this year i98FM announcer, and convoy founder, Marty Haynes welcomed the wider distribution of funds.
‘’It is great to see the funds raised in convoy benefiting a range of individuals and groups in the Illawarra and South Coast regions,’’ he said.
‘’We are lucky to have some amazing organisations in the region supporting people suffering from life threatening medical conditions.’’
In a statement an Illawarra Community Foundation spokeswoman said funds raised from the convoy had helped 35 local families in 2016, as well as donating to a range of local charities and health facilities.
Camp Quality had also received $500,000 from last year’s event, she said.
‘’With the support of the truck and bike communities, the establishment of the Illawarra Community Foundation this year has meant that we were able to expand our charitable reach to reduce the financial and emotional burden on local families who have a member facing a life threatening illness – as well as support the charities and organisations that care for them,’’ she stated.
‘’Some weeks ago, we received notification from Camp Quality that they would no longer like to be involved with the convoy and wouldn’t be applying for funds - as is the new process with the foundation and is outlined on the Illawarra Convoy website.
‘’We are proud to have contributed to Camp Quality’s amazing work over the years and wish them continued success as a charity in the future.’’