Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER

Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER
HomeNewsCamp funds boost

Camp funds boost

Hundreds of trucks and motorbikes hit the streets of Geelong last Sunday to raise more than $50,000 for children’s cancer.

The Victorian Camp Quality Convoy returned to Geelong for the third time after a break last year.

More than 100 trucks and about 20 motorbikes participated in this year’s event, organisers said.

All proceeds would go to Camp Quality, which helps families with childhood cancer victims.

Convoy founder and ambassador Joff Van Ek said the fundraiser was personal for him.

“My best friend had cancer as a teenager and Camp Quality assisted him and his family during such a difficult time,” he said.

“I’ve seen the importance of the services Camp Quality provides and I wanted to do what I could to support other families living with cancer.“

Mr Van Ek said he was inspired to create the convoy in 2015 after seeing similar events successful interstate.

“I grew up in the transport industry and I came up with the idea a couple of years ago,” he said.

“People instantly threw their support behind it, it was then just a matter of finding a place that could assist with it.

“That’s where Geelong came into the picture.

“Geelong is a close-knit community where everyone works together, and as a result the convoys have received such a positive response.”

Mr Van Ek said families from around the Geelong region were among the beneficiaries of Camp Quality.

“Cancer treatment can be a very draining and emotional time,” he said.

“It’s not just those who are diagnosed that are affected, it’s the families and the greater community that are impacted by it too.”

About 750 Australian children aged to 14 years are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the Cancer Council.

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

It’s not over yet

Bellarine emergency services are preparing for another band of warm weather following recent statewide fire outbreaks. It has been a busy week for...
More News

Recovery begins for tourist towns hit by flash flood

Locals have described the "absolute carnage" of record-breaking flash flooding, with cars and more washed out to sea in an extraordinary river overflow. Clean-up efforts...

Emergency centre open following flooding

Hundreds of people have attended an emergency relief centre in Lorne following flooding, leading to many needing to evacuate the region. Close...

Floating into 50 years

Queenscliff Coast Guard is celebrating 50 years of volunteer marine rescue with a free community open day. Community members will be able...

Geelong train line resumes operation

V/Line services have resumed on the Geelong line following earlier vandalism. Trains will not operate between Wyndham Vale and Southern Cross until Friday, 23 January...

Australia Day event cancelled

An Australia Day event that has been operating for more than half a century has been cancelled due to financial challenges and a lack...

It’s not over yet

Geelong and Bellarine emergency services are preparing for another band of warm weather following recent statewide fire outbreaks. It has been a...

Out and about

Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went to Geelong’s waterfront on a cool and blustery Tuesday to see who was out and about.

Great Ocean Road still closed

The Great Ocean Road remains closed to traffic in both directions between Lorne and Skenes Creek due to extreme weather, flooding and possible land-slips. V/Line...

Grovers get the better of Belmont

Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was at Ocean Grove Bowls Club on Tuesday to see the home side defeat Belmont 69 to 53 in round...

Finally some middle ground for our weather

After enduring blazingly hot days last Wednesday and Friday, Greater Geelong has had a cool week. Temperatures have struggled to get much past 20 degrees,...