Colourful Rally Cars Hit the Road on Epic 3,000km Journey to Raise $1 Million for Kids Facing Cancer

On Sunday 25 October, 70 colourful cars and 170 participants will roll out of Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast for Camp Quality’s 34th annual esCarpade adventure. Over seven days, participants will travel 3,000km through regional Queensland and New South Wales, heading inland to Lightning Ridge before finishing in Tweed Heads, with a mission to raise more than $1 million for kids and families impacted by cancer.

From Pokémon and Toy Story to Finding Nemo and bumblebees, the brightly decorated cars – and equally colourful crews behind the wheel – will transform Aussie World into a spectacle of costumes, characters and classic cars before setting off on the week-long journey.

More than 25 Camp Quality families will join participants, officials and start line sponsor O’Brien Glass at Aussie World from 8am for a morning of celebrations, colourful costumes, decorated cars and family fun before the rally gets underway at 9am.

Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas says esCarpade brings together an extraordinary community of people united by their commitment to supporting children and families facing cancer.

“The energy at the esCarpade start line, this year sponsored by the very generous people at Obrien Glass, is incredible. Participants put an enormous amount of time, creativity and heart into decorating their cars, fundraising and creating an unforgettable experience for our Camp Quality families who will be attending Aussie World to wave them off,” Ms Thomas said.

“The esCarpade participants spend months fundraising in the lead-up to the event. Each car is required to raise a minimum of $5,000, but many go well beyond that, raising double, triple or even more. Together, they’re aiming to raise more than $1 million this year, helping Camp Quality support hundreds of children and families facing the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis”

“The themed dress-ups continue throughout the week, with the esCarpade participants joining Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program puppets on their visits to local primary schools. The local pupils are thrilled to see the themed cars and colourful characters, including Superheroes and cartoon favourites, while Camp Quality’s puppets help kids understand cancer in an age-appropriate way: encouraging kindness and inclusion for classmates who may be impacted by it.”

Among the many first-time participants taking on esCarpade this year are Karen and Tracy. When Tracy saw an advertisement for esCarpade she immediately asked her partner Karen if they should join in memory of her nephew, Mitchell.

Mitchell was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was only nine years old in 2011 and sadly passed away four years later, when he was 13. Together with Tracy’s sister, Rochelle, her niece Chelsea and Karen’s daughter, Meta, they formed Team ROTOM, inspired by Mitchell’s favourite Pokémon.

“Mitchell is the inspiration behind everything we’re doing. His life was cut short by childhood cancer. During that incredibly difficult time, Camp Quality became a source of light for our family,” says Rochelle, Mitchell’s mum.

“We have held a barefoot bowls event, numbers boards, raffles and more. I also picked up my crochet hook in February and made some fun and quirky Beanies to sell. It blew out bigger than I could ever imagine, and I have made over 150 of them and raised $3,000 from the beanies alone,” says Karen.

For Team ROTOM, crossing the finish line in Tweed Heads will be about much more than completing 3,000 kilometres. It will be a chance to honour Mitchell’s memory while helping other children and families experiencing cancer access the same support that meant so much to their family.

For more information on esCarpade or to donate click here.

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For media inquiries contact: Lucy Mitchell 0438 001 143 / [email protected]