People Power!

News

29 Apr

I am a very lucky man. I have three sons and they have all grown up to be fine young men. They have also grown up without any serious health complications.

Others are not so fortunate. I can only imagine the pain and stress folk go through as their child fights for life.

Convoy For The Cure, run in Townsville and now in its fifth year aims to support those young fighting brain tumours and cancer by raising funds to support research.

And as usual, the trucking fraternity proudly comes to the fore in droves to support the Convoy.

This year a recently refurbished blue 1985 Scania 112 6x4 tipper is aiming to lead the 200-strong cavalcade of trucks for Convoy For The Cure on Sunday, May 30. The Scania is the face of the public appeal to augment the generosity of local truckies.

“The Scania is dubbed the ‘Peoples’ Truck’,” says convoy promoter, Todd Martin. “We’re encouraging members of the public to make a donation to the cause and get their name or logo on the side of the tipper body.

2021 Convoy People Power Truck side on.jpg

“In previous years this concept has been a great way of including Australians who are not truckies, but who want to make a contribution to the fundraising. We’re sponsored by the local Power100 radio station which will promote the event throughout the run-up and during the day as well.”

The historic truck is owned by Ross Gofton, a cane farmer who lives just outside Townsville. A while ago he bought six Scanias on their retirement from the city council. The Scania 112 to be used in the Convoy has been repainted, has new seats, and is in generally in very sound order despite having had 35 years on the road as a tipper.

The truck is now dedicated to static display and charitable activities and has been painted throughout in two-pack paint. The cab is finished in Scania blue, with a red chassis. The tipper body is pristine in glowing white, which will set off the sponsor logos a treat.

The cavalcade of trucks rolling through Townsville will exceed 15 kilometres at its peak, with all trucks massing in a park outside town before dispersing. Some trucks are expected from as far away as the Northern Territory.

Scania Australia, and its independent authorised service and parts dealer in Townsville, Honeycombes Sales and Service, will make a sizeable donation to the Convoy For The Cure. Honeycombes’ Kevin Jones said the business was very pleased to be partnering with Scania to support the worthy cause, and to have a Scania at the head of the convoy.

“It’s good to be able to have a heritage model involved in the convoy. The event has been running for five years, is always well patronised and attracts a lot of attention in the town,” Kevin said. “We hope that the appeal of the Peoples’ Truck will result in a strong flow of donations to support this very important charitable cause.”

“Money raised from previous Convoys For The Cure have already led to breakthroughs by researchers in the treatment of childhood brain cancer. We can make a difference,” said Convoy Director, Todd Martin.

To make a donation visit: https://www.givenow.com.au/crowdraiser/public/convoyforthecure

https://www.facebook.com/Convoy-for-The-Cure-180333995784683/

I’ve donated, will you? On the donations page where it allows for a comment, Just type in ‘The Scania People’s Truck’ so folks will know how generous this industry is.

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