2022 i98FM Illawarra Convoy raises over 2 million dollars!

24 November, 2022

THE CONVOY SPIRIT SEES OVER $2 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED FOR THE ILLAWARRA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

A staggering total of $2,078,718.95 is the official figure raised from this year’s i98FM Illawarra Convoy, proving that the Convoy spirit is still thriving in the Illawarra Community. i98FM Illawarra Convoy Manager, Mark Rigby, announced the final figure raised from the event live during the Breakfast Show with Marty, Christian and Bella.

Following the past week of activities, a total of $ $1,358,584.36 was raised before the event had even begun - with the Lead Truck and Motorbike Auctions raising a total of $405,527.36. A $230,000 donation from Coles Illawarra saw them take the Lead Bike position on Wednesday followed by the Lead Truck Auction where Menai Haulage and Gear Shift donated $152,500 to secure the top spot, on behalf of six-year-old Nate Deushain, who has recently relapsed with leukaemia.

Convoy Manager Mark Rigby stated, “The generosity from the Illawarra continues to amaze me each and every year. While so many families are doing it tough at the moment, they still manage to give generously to help those who are going through the unimaginable. It is why we continue to do what we do, and it’s wonderful to the smiling faces on our Convoy families, who treat this day as their Christmas each year.”

It was an emotional day for organisers, with the free Family Fun Day having to be cancelled on Sunday due to severe winds of nearly 90 kilometres per hour hitting Shellharbour Airport. i98FM’s Marty Haynes stated, “It was an extremely difficult decision to make, however the health and safety of the public, our
Convoy families, artists, staff and volunteers is paramount. Our goal has always been for Convoy to be an event that helps others, and we pride ourselves on that. Under the circumstances we found ourselves in on Sunday, our values of putting the community first ultimately dictated the decision to call the Fun
Day off. We will be back bigger and better in 2023 and are so proud of the generosity of our amazing Community.”

Despite this, the Convoy itself ran seamlessly with thousands of people lining the Streets of the Illawarra all the way from Appin down to the Shellharbour airport.

The total figure raised will go directly to the Illawarra Community Foundation which helps families affected by life threatening illnesses. To date, financial assistance has been provided to over 400 families throughout the Illawarra and South Coast. The Foundation has also contributed over $4.3 million dollars to the
redevelopment of the Wollongong Hospital’s Children’s Ward.

For more information or to donate, visit https://illawarraconvoy.com.au/.