BlueScope Steel chipped in more than $63,000 during the i98fm breakfast program on Wednesday morning to crack $2 million for Illawarra Convoy for the first time.
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Excitement filled the air when event founder Marty Haynes and his co-hosts Christie Hayes and Ryan Cram were able to excitedly announce the achievement that officially makes the 2018 i98fm Illawarra Convoy the biggest and best ever.
i98fm Illawarra Convoy and Illawarra Community Foundation manager Mark Rigby said “we had a figure announced previously of $1.936,868.70 and then BlueScope Steel chuck in the remainder to get it to $2 million”.
Mar Rigby said Rob Starcic making the winning bid for the Dandaloo Boys’ of $310,000 to secure the lead truck position for a group of local businesses was also a major factor in hitting the $2 million. As was Carr Brothers Motorcycles winning $90,203 winning bid for lead bike.
Which meant even before Sunday’s event, the tally of funds raised stood at $1,285,646.
“This is the biggest Convoy we have had yet and the biggest fun day we have had yet with the amount of people who came out so support it,” Mr Rigby said.
“The new venue at Illawarra Regional Airport was great. The crowds were up and the was heaps more space for everything. The trucks could be right down in among the crowd and being so close to the train station made it more easy for everyone to get to as well.
“The entertainment (headlined by Sheppard and The Choirboys) was great and the amount of people was phenomenal. We think it was more than double last year”.
More than 750 trucks and close to 1100 bikes took part in the convoy this year. All funds raised go to the Illawarra Community Foundation which to date, has provided support to over 80 local families who have a member facing a life threatening illness.
In addition to this, local charities such as The Leukaemia Foundation, Can Assist, The Lions Club Carers’ Respite Cottage and The Disabled Surfers Association have received assistance. $250,000 has also been donated to the redevelopment of the Children’s Ward at Wollongong Hospital and essential medical equipment has been provided to Wollongong, Shellharbour and Port Kembla Hospitals.
More to come;
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