It was an emotional morning today for participants and organisers of the i98FM 2022 Illawarra Convoy which takes place on Sunday, November 20.
After a recent Leukaemia relapse, six-year-old Nate Deushain gave the final winning donation of $152,500 – fulfilling his dream of being in the lead truck on behalf of Menai Haulage and Gear Shifts.
Donations were made by MJ Rowles at $90,000 and Ross Transport at $87,900, which helped to bring the total amount raised by today’s Lead Truck Auction to $953,057.
Ross Transport also reached the huge milestone of donating $1,000,000 to date for the i98FM Illawarra Convoy over the past 18 years.
Craig from Menai Haulage and Gear Shift became emotional thanking everyone who came on board to help with this figure, stating: “All I can say is that I appreciate everyone that has donated, no matter how big or small it is, it has made Nate’s day and we look forward to catching up with everyone on Sunday.”
The Lead Truck Auction followed yesterday’s Lead Motorbike Auction where Coles Illawarra took out the top spot by donating a massive $230,000.
It was an exceptional figure with fundraising initiatives undertaken by Coles employees throughout the Illawarra.
Anthony Hammond from Motocity donated $82,400 and Throttle Jockies fundraising initiatives resulted in a $51,532.14 donation, bringing the total amount raised from the Lead Bikes to $405,527.36.
As a result of the Lead Truck and Motorbike Auctions, i98FM Illawarra’s Convoy tally of funds is currently at $1,358,584.36. This brings the total amount raised from the event over the past eighteen years to $21,621,482.36.
Sunday’s 2022 i98FM Illawarra Convoy will be the first time in three years that the event will be back in its full capacity (with the free Family Fun Day), after being affected by Covid in recent years.
The Convoy will depart under police escort from South 32’s West Cliff Colliery on Appin Road at approximately 8.15am with the route taking them down Mt Ousley, through Warrawong and past Stockland Shellharbour before finishing up at the free Family Fun Day at Shellharbour Airport in Albion Park Rail.
Registered motorbikes will begin arriving from 9.15am with the trucks following at approximately 10am.
The Black Sorrows and Sneaky Sound System will headline this year’s Family Fun Day with performances also by local bands, Kye’s FMX Jam and Eljay’s Junkyard Action Show. There will be rides for the kids, market and food stalls as well as the Cars for Convoy display. i98FM (98.1) will be broadcasting the event live from 5am.
All funds raised go directly to the Illawarra Community Foundation which helps families affected by life threatening illnesses.
To date, the Illawarra Community Foundation has provided financial assistance to over 400 families throughout the Illawarra and South Coast.
The foundation has also contributed over $4.3 million to Wollongong Hospital’s Children’s Ward redevelopment.
For more information or to donate, visit illawarraconvoy.com.au.