There will be no family day at i98fm Illawarra Convoy this year but an auction date has been set for people interested in attending the House that Convoy Built auction in person or online.
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The community built house will be sold the day before the 2021 Illawarra Convoy and at the end of a week of fundraising that will involve bidding for the lead truck and motorbike on i98fm.
Illawarra Community Foundation manager Mark Rigby said the auction will take place at 4pm on Saturday December 4. The i98fm Illawarra Convoy itself has been pushed back from November 21 to December 5.
Trucks and motorbikes will still make the 80 kilometre journey from Appin to the Convoy Shop on the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail and spectators will be able to line the streets to watch the trucks and motorcycles.
The long-standing charity event run by i98fm and the WIN Network was also impacted by COVID-19 in 2020 when the convoy itself was replaced with an "at home" event.
Convoy still managed to raise more than $1 million and organisers are hoping the house action will help surpass that total this year.
The idea of building a house for auction with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the Illawarra Community Foundation came as a result of fundraising group Team Dandaloo pitching the idea to property group Sheargold which donated a $440,000 block of land at Vista Park, Wongawilli.
A three bedroom house was then custom designed by ADM Architects and GJ Gardner Homes Wollongong agreed to project manage the build and source local donors to ensure the house was built at minimal costs.
The goal was to raise as much money as possible for local families doing it tough due to potentially life threatening medical conditions.
The i98fm Illawarra Convoy has raised more than $17 million over 17 years but the last 18 months have been the most difficult time for for all fundraising activities in the region.
Mr Rigby said the house was placed for sale on realestate.com on Monday which means it is now open for inspection.
"It will be auctioned by Ben Mitchell," he said.
"MMJ is coordinating the sales process and will be fielding all the enquiries. On the day you can bid from your loungeroom if you want or you can turn up in person.
"It is going to be a big week for Convoy. On the Monday we will be drawing our raffles and silent auctions. Wednesday will be the lead bike bidding day on i98 breakfast. Thursday will be the lead truck bidding day."
Mr Rigby said with so much interest in the property market at the moment as well as the fundraising house ,no one really knows what to expect on auction day.
"We have no idea where the price might sit but the anticipation is really exciting," he said.
Sean Vickery, of GJ Gardner Homes, said it was a great feeling for everyone involved to see the house finished and to be able to do that on time despite the COVID-19 lockdown.
"There is a sense of relief and a sense of excitement. It has been a great to be part of," he said.
"I am really hopeful of a strong result come auction day. The way the community have rallied being this and the generosity and camaraderie from the tradespeople and suppliers has been amazing."
Mr Vickery said the project has helped lift the spirits of the entire Illawarra community.
"It has been fantastic for my staff to be part of something where we are able to use our skillset to give back and really help people," he said.
"I will remember this project for the rest of my life."
Luke Rollinson, of MMJ, said as a childhood cancer survivor and father of two children who have battled cancer he personally has a huge appreciation for how important charities like The Illawarra Community Foundation are to so many Illawarra families.
"When I was asked to be involved in the House That Convoy Built in the early days it was something I jumped at straight away," he said.
"I know that organisations like this, particularly Illawarra founded organisations that help our local community, are pretty special.
"To donate time to help deliver this exciting project is something that will stay with me and my family for a long time. To see this project go from a piece of paper to be built by GJ Gardner Homes and now to be completed by an exciting auction is amazing. It shows the passion of the Illawarra."
Mr Rollinson said when MMJ was given the opportunity to provide town planning and real estate services, it jumped at the chance to donate its time for such a wonderful cause.
"Thank you to all the consultants that assisted us with the Development Application and Construction Certificate process, and those organisations who have signed up to support the sale process," he said.
"It is an honour and privilege for MMJ to be involved in this community fundraising project, and we are proud to know the money raised from the sale of this house will benefit many Illawarra families in need."
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