Ross delivers truck loads of cash for convoy

Ross delivers truck-loads of cash for Convoy

October 21, 2009

Section: News

IT IS with a certain degree of pride that Alan Ross accepts his small part in the increasing success of the i98 Camp Quality Convoy for Kids with Marty and Bianca.

Mr Ross, of Port Kembla’s Ross Transport, was outbid by neighbouring trucking company Murrell Freight Lines to be the convoy’s lead tuck during the inaugural event five years ago.

Matt Murrells bid of $5100 secured him a lead berth for the 70km convoy from West Cliff Colliery at Appin to the Croome Road sporting complex in Albion Park but Mr Ross made good on his bid of $5000 and set the bar for successive bidders.

That first year the convoy made $56,000. Last year’s event raised a record $287,917 and involved 592 trucks and 380 motor bikes.

Mr Ross and Mr Murrell have been hooked on the convoy since and will be there again when it heads down the mountain on November 15.

Mr Ross said the cause compelled him to hand over the cash. “At the end of the day, when it’s for charity, the rules change a little bit, I think,’’ Mr Ross said.

“And when you see a few of the kids, I think that opens you up a bit.’’

Last year, Mr Ross took on banner advertising and has raised $41,500 in five years.

This year Mr Ross and Mr Murrell plan to hold a truck show with the Camp Quality children picking the winners.

“We’ll have categories like nicest truck, nicest fleet, best paint job,’’ Mr Ross said. “I think it’s a great little twist. We’ll get what the kids think is good, not what we like or what the industry likes.’’

The convoy starts at the Colliery at 9am and continues down Mt Ousley through Warrawong and past Shell-harbour to Croome Road.

The action continues with a family fun day and an exciting music line-up and stalls.

Entry for trucks and motorbikes is $25 with all fees going to Camp Quality. To register, download a form from the i98 website or see Page 23 of today’s newspaper.

The event is sponsored by Southern Independent Publishers, publisher of the Wollongong and Northern Leader