Fundraising fun in the Illawarra

Windang's first Camp Quality Convoy Contributor's Fun Day

I was invited to attend the Windang Family Fun Day as part of the i98 Camp Quality Convoy For Kids. It was the first time that Windang had hosted the event which locals Nadene Ryan and friend Jessica Burton decided to organise after Nadene's sister Hailey had been diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma the year before. Windang had always been a popular location to wave at the truck drivers as they travelled along Windang Road, Windang on their way to the Family Fun Day at Albion Park. They decided to make the most of the annual turnout and asked the general manager of the Lake Illawarra Hotel, Steve Hampton if they could hold a fundraising event at the popular Windang hotel, and he quickly agreed. With the help of local businesses, friends and family the first annual Camp Quality Convoy for Kids Windang Contributors Family Fun Day was born.

One of the many people to volunteer their time was local Belinda Harkness from the Windang and Southern Suburbs Forum who raised awareness of the event via a Facebook events page. Many others helped with the event including organising the donating of auctions and raffle prizes as well as signing up six bands to perform for free to entertain the crowds. Australian country music star Rick Caballo, fresh from the USA accepted Belinda's invitation to perform on the day and was a firm favourite with the crowd. Belinda Harkness acted as MC sang with the Mountain Jam band and supported Rick Caballo with vocals. Other bands who performed included Happy Daze, Mustard, Biig Willie and The Backburners.

The Master Builders Club donated a FORD Precision Racing Jacket & Signed VB racing helmet. and Matt Cooper donated his team shorts which raised over $300 with the winning bidder the management of the Lake Illawarra Hotel after a heated bidding war. Over $7000 was raised with donations and sales of cupcakes, candles, face painting, amusement rides and donations collected along Windang Road during the convoy.

View the slideshow of images from the day:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilcrabbygal/sets/72157622829067702/show/