Convoy for cancer to honour emergency services this Sunday

Canberra’s firefighters and emergency services will be honoured when they lead the annual Rise Above Convoy for Cancer this Sunday.

Rural Fire Service trucks will be joined by State Emergency Service and ACT Parks and Conservation vehicles as the convoy weaves its way from Beard, near Queanbeyan, to Exhibition Park.

A spokesperson for the cancer support charity Rise Above, Sarah Elliott, said the convoy will be a sight to behold as the emergency service vehicles lead the convoy with a trail of trucks and bikes following.

“It will be a wonderful tribute to the RFS who will lead the convoy,” Ms Elliott said.

“Even though rain is forecast for Sunday, our motto is cancer doesn’t care about the weather, so the event will be on regardless.

“Get out there to EPIC and dance in the rain – soak it up we say.”

This year’s convoy will be a chance for people to honour the work of the RFS, SES and Parks and Conservation during the summer of bushfire emergencies and state of alert.

More than 400 trucks and 150 bikes will also take part in the convoy, along with at least 25 vehicles from the emergency services.

The event is Rise Above’s biggest fundraiser and helps more than 900 people throughout the region who are battling cancer.

More than $100,000 has already been raised from the lead truck and bike auctions that wrapped up today on radio station 1053 2CA .

“Wow, what a morning. Our lead bike and lead truck auctions have raised a total of $129,375,” the Rise Above Cancer Convoy announced on Facebook.

The family-owned concrete business, Elvin Group, founded by the late Tom Elvin and his wife Leonie, will be the lead truck after making a massive $50,000 bid. Icon Water trucks will follow after bidding $20,000. The lead bike will be Nathan Hayes from Gerald Slaven Volkswagen, with $5000 raised.

“Thanks to everyone who donated and remember the convoy rolls out of Beard at 9:30 am on Sunday. We got ourselves a convoy,” the organisers said.

From Beard, the convoy will travel along Canberra Avenue to Fyshwick before turning on to Hindmarsh Drive. It will then turn onto the Monaro Highway and head towards Exhibition Park, where a day of activities and family fun is planned.

The event at EPIC will be staged undercover at the rear of the Farmers’ Market due to the forecast rain.

There will be live music, roving entertainers, market stalls and food, as well as performers and displays from Reptiles Inc from the Canberra Reptile Zoo at Gold Creek.

Cancer patients will also be able to participate thanks to the support of two buses from Transport Canberra.

The event organisers are hoping to surpass the total of $378,000 raised from last year’s event.

The Rise Above Convoy for Cancer is an annual event that raises money and awareness for the Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief charity.

The convoy was started many years ago by Marty Haynes and after a short break, it re-emerged in 2013 when radio personalities Scotty and Nige got behind the event. In 2017, the Capital Radio Network became the major radio sponsors.

More information can be found on the Rise Above Cancer Convoy on Facebook or via the event website.