The massive Convoy held on November 19 raised a record setting $1,928,492, topping last year’s record of $1,805,306!
The final tally for i98FM’s 2017 Illawarra Convoy was announced on November 22 on Radio i98FM’s breakfast show with hosts Marty Haynes, Christie Hayes and Ryan Cram.
In its 13th year, the Convoy’s 714 trucks and 927 motorbikes travel 70 kilometres from Illawarra Coal’s West Cliff Colliery at Appin, through the streets of the Illawarra and onto the Croome Road Sporting Complex.
The opportunity to take the coveted position as the lead truck in the Convoy was fought out live on air with ‘Marty’, ‘Fairlie’ and ‘Crammy’.
Winning top spot with a bid of $302,000 was the ‘Dandaloo Boys’, a group consisting of local businesses, The Dandaloo Hotel, Coastal Windows & Doors, Doherty Transport, Illawarra Engineering Services and Snare Fabrication.
In addition to the $302,000 winning donation, MJ Rowles contributed $213,447, Derek McMahon from the People’s Truck also contributed $172,000, along with Bingo Industries $100,000 and Illawarra Truck Repairs and Spares $90,000.
Leading the motorbikes in the Convoy with the winning amount of $70,513 was Carr brothers Motorcycles, followed by Caltex Illawarra at $42,000, Park Custom Bike & Tattoo Show $26,000 and the Mount Kembla & City Coast Motorcycles bid of $17,242.
Convoy Founder and i98FM Breakfast Show host Marty Haynes couldn’t be more proud of this year’s efforts.
“It never ceases to amaze me how generous the people of the Illawarra are,” Marty says.
“This money will help to make a real difference to those who are bravely facing other illnesses and hardships in our community.
“To everyone who has supported Convoy, thank you…be nothing but proud of yourselves.”
The announcement now means that a total of $11,450,158 has been raised in the Convoy’s 13 year history – a record-breaking achievement.
All money raised will go to the Illawarra Community Foundation who distributes funds to local charities and families who are facing life threatening illness.
Submissions for funding can be made at the Convoy website www.illawarraconvoy.com.au