Townsville Convoy for the Cure 2018 — 190 trucks for a cause

ACT’s original report records more than $90,000 raised and a 28-kilometre convoy for childhood cancer research.

Original ACT archive feature. Images from the ACT archive; no individual photographer is identified in the retained feature.

Flashy trucks proved popular with more than 10,000 people gathered beside the roads during the radio station 4TO FM Townsville Convoy for Cure on May 20.

A record 190 trucks participated and more than $90,000 was raised for kids with cancer.

The convoy travelled along a 28km route through the north Queensland capital as men, women and children lined the streets to wave and support them.

In return many of the truck drivers honked their horns.

The small fleet award for the convoy went to Townsville Hydrovac, Followmont took out the large fleet prize, and Long Pocket Earthmoving paid $20,087.02 to have the lead convoy truck with its Mack Valueliner leading the way.

“This was a change of scenery for the red Mack that usually tows a low loader with its main item of freight being earthmoving gear and cane harvesters. This was the second year our ‘Pride of the Pocket’ has participated in the convoy. With no other reason than knowing we are contributing to a wonderful cause, our Mack makes the trek from Ingham to Townsville,” said Long Pocket Earthmoving.

“What a great experience for our drivers Robert and Blair to be front of the pack.

Why do we do it? Put simply, we love trucks!

Trucks have been in our family all our life. Participating in Convoy for The Cure is a great feeling, knowing you are giving something back to those families that aren’t so fortunate. It’s not until you have kids of your own that you realise how amazing this charity really is. Let’s find that cure.”

Trucks had gathered at an area along Webb Drive at the Bohle suburb from 7.45am.

The convoy commenced at 9am led by the police escorts followed by motorbikes. The trucks followed and drove along Ingham Road, into Duckworth Street, Woolcock Street, Charters Towers Road, Ross River Road and Riverway Drive.

Some of the trucks had sick kids as passengers.

The length of the convoy was about 4km and thousands of listeners to radio station 4TO were treated to live crosses along the route to hear where the trucks were.

Drivers, their family and friends and many others then attended a family morning at Ross Park near the dam in the suburb of Kelso.

This year’s event was entitled “Convoy For The Cure” and funds raised went to research into Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG, a deadly and aggressive form of brain tumour.

It was held by the organisation ‘The Cure Starts Now’ which was founded by a local, Ren Pedersen, after his nine-year-old daughter died of the disease in 2009.

“The support the truck companies and drivers have given us is just fantastic,” Mr Pedersen said.

I snapped pics along the route and saw hundreds of youngsters sitting on the roofs of 4WD vehicles to get a better view.

It was encouraging to see entire families watching the trucks cruise by. At the parking area a big crowd congregated and the awards were presented by MCs Minty from Radio 4TO and sponsor as well as event coordinator Todd Martin.

The winning companies drove their trucks past the stage as hundreds looked on.

Even the police were involved and Snr Sgt Paul Taylor from the traffic branch was busy at Ross Park showing adults and many children the patrol car.

Many of the truckies and companies had been part of convoys in previous years and there were some new ones as well.

Companies and drivers all the way from Ingham (110km north of Townsville) and the Burdekin (88km south) supported the event with the convoy increasing in popularity by 30 more trucks over last year’s 160 trucks.

Rear Vision: where are they now?

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