THEY managed to raise $198,000 at last year's Convoy for Cancer and this year the Cancer Support Group is aiming to go one better by raising more than $200,000.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A total of 400 truck drivers have signed up for the annual pilgrimage beginning from Beard all the way up to Gungahlin on Sunday, February 1.
Melissa Gardiner is the CEO of the Cancer Support Group and she said the success of the Convoy is vital to the organisation.
It's their biggest fundraiser and accounts for about one-third of their yearly budget.
"Without the Convoy we wouldn't be able to support as many people as we do. We currently have about 800 families on the books," she said.
"Recently we've been able to increase the amount of support we give to each patient from $2000 to $2500 per family and that's due to the success of the Convoy."
The coveted position of lead truck is once again up for grabs as well as the new category of lead bike.
Participants will have a chance to bid their way into the top spots by calling in their donations to radio station 104.7FM.
Mrs Gardiner said she is grateful for the community's unrelenting support.
The money raised is used to help families experiencing cancer by paying for chemotherapy, medication, dietary supplements, food and fuel vouchers and utility bills.
"I think the community continues to support the Cancer Support Group because it's one of the few charities that help child patients and adult patients," Mrs Gardiner said.
"Everything stays local and 100 percent of the money fundraised goes out to the community, it's not spent on admin costs or staff wages."
Mrs Gardiner said the ongoing support of radio station 104.7FM and WIN Television was also crucial in promoting the event.
One half of breakfast radio duo, Scotty from Scotty and Nige, has acquired his truck licence and will be driving as part of the Convoy.
Mrs Gardiner, however, said she's happy being ahead of lead truck in her Cancer Support Group-branded four-door hatchback car.
"One of these years I'll have the guts to do it [drive a truck]," she said.
"But I'm already flat out changing between four gears let alone all the gears you need to drive a truck!"
n The Convoy for Cancer will be held on Sunday, February 1. It begins from Queanbeyan at 10am and will conclude in Gungahlin. Entertainment by Monsters of Rock, rides, food stalls will be on at the conclusion of the event. For more information visit www.thecancersupportgroup.org.au.
