We were collecting names for the People's Truck,
which would be taking part in the i98FM Camp Quality Truck Convoy.
And we were so surprised by the support we got!
We had hoped for about 50 names... we got 240 names!
Altogether, we raised $6725 for Camp Quality.
The feeling was incredible. A huge smile was on my face, and I was so proud of the work we had done, and how amazing the truck looked. As I drove alongside the Dexter's Mates section, I knew all the hard work was worth it.
And then, it was Convoy Day. For Lenice and Andrew, this is a big day. Everyone is out to celebrate the Convoy. To them... it's very personal. It's a very, very emotional day. We set up camp with the People's Truck Crew and, finally... the People's Truck rolled by, amid tears and cheers and waves. And that's when I first saw the Dexter's Mates names. (Watch the truck pass us here. There's a pause in the Convoy, as Bianca, the radio announcer, stops to say hello to Dexter.) The People's Truck and some of our names |
The field was flooded. Kids were sliding in the mud
and the rain poured and poured.
We almost didn't take the kids to the Convoy Field.
But, they had to be there. So, we hid them in the pram, under tarps
and umbrellas and pushed them through the rain and mud.
We got to the Truck, and hid them in under the side.
It seemed perfect that the Truck was protecting Dexter.
But, it meant that we didn't really get photos of the Dexter's Mates names.
Camp Quality is a charity organisation
and there is only the one person sorting through the donations.
With the incredible size of the Dexter's Mates names and donations,
we have been told these receipts will be the last ones to be processed.
It has been a few months now,
and many people have not got their receipts yet.
I know I don't have mine.
We've been told by countless people that the receipts are not that important.
What we have all managed to do, to support very sick kids
and their families, matters way more.
But still, it is frustrating for the people waiting on the receipts.
My biggest concern is that people might think we are not being legitimate, when we ask for money for Camp Quality.
People might think we are pocketing the money.
People might not trust us to fundraise for Camp Quality.
The Dexter's Mates idea was going to be a one-off.
But, this year will be the tenth convoy... and how amazing would it be for the People's Truck to lead the Convoy for the tenth year?!
We have to do the Dexter's Mates again.
So, its important that people know that we passed the money,
in full, to Camp Quality!
It's important that we all get our receipts, so you know we can be trusted.
Because, we want you back as a 2014 Dexter's Mate!
We'll start collecting Dexter's Mates names and Camp Quality donations in July. (This way, we only collect donations during one financial year.)
The Peoples Truck is a sanctioned fundraiser for Camp Quality
(Sanction Number: “ILLA1311CON Peoples”).
You can contact the Illawarra Camp Quality office on (02) 4256 0127.
The 9th i98FM Camp Quality Convoy on Sunday 17 November 2013
raised an astounding $1,191,816.22 for Camp Quality!
Camp Quality have been able to offer a few fun activities
for the families of children fighting cancer this year.
(Different families are offered different things)
Some of these include:
* a day at the miniature trains
* a Mickey Mouse Magic Show
* tickets to the Easter Show
* Jamberoo Action Park day
* Shoalhaven Zoo and high ropes day
* a movie day
and, the kids get a happy card for their birthday.
As Dexter's aunt, I was close to his cancer, but I wasn't as close as his parents and Dexter, himself. I know I still feel anxious when Dexter is due for his cancer checks, to make sure the cancer has not come back. They must feel even more anxious.
Too often, we hear of kids who find themselves back in their cancer battle...
and sadly, many kids just don't make it.
Lenice and Andrew personally know some of these kids and their families.
I know, that now Dexter has reached 12 months cancer clear, I am finally starting to smile and laugh more freely. You don't realise just how much you've lost your smile, until it comes back. Laughter really is the best medicine.
And, Camp Quality events have brought smiles to Dexter and his family.
That's where the money goes.
Thank you for supporting us!
Thank you for helping us achieve something important...
to help out a charity close to our hearts.
We're sorry for the delay in the receipts.
If you are a Dexter's Mate and can't find your name in the truck photos, please email us on [email protected] and we will try to get a photo for you.
Sorry for the delay in getting the photos on the blog!
We hope you can become a Dexter's Mate in 2014.
Currently, we're collecting money for the Cancer Council,
through the Love Dexter Relay for Life Team.
In 12 months, we've raised about $14,000
for Camp Quality and the Cancer Council.
Carol
Visit the Dexter's Mates webpage
Visit the People's Truck's webpage
Visit the Camp Quality webpage
Visit the Illawarra Camp Quality webpage
Watch the People's Truck in the 2014 Convoy
Read our story about the 2014 Convoy
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