Convoy for the Cure is finding its place in the hearts of North Queenslanders, who are responding by putting their hands in their pockets.
Convoy is an annual event that attracts the support of the trucking and motor bike communities, which come together in support of research organised by The Cure Starts Now.
The subject of The Cure is a brain stem cancer called DIPG, or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which afflicts children.
Maritime and transport operator Northern Stevedoring Services has duplicated its 2024 sponsorship and secured its place as naming rights sponsor for the 2025 Convoy for the Cure.
It would be raising more donations through staff and supply chain business with the aim of also claiming the right to lead Convoy through Townsville on Sunday, May 25, NSS General Manager Mark George said.
To beat last year’s effort they would raise more than $25,000 in sponsorship and donations, Mark said.
“NSS is one of the largest logistics, transport and stevedoring businesses in regional Queensland and Convoy offers us an alignment to the community in more ways than one.
“First, we are proud to be part of the industry and this gives us a chance to showcase our contribution to the North Queensland economy.
“It is also a chance for us to come together as a community with shared values, standards and challenges.”
NSS Stevedore Ren Pedersen has been active in fund raising for research into DIPG since his daughter died from the disease in 2009. It brought the impact home to those who worked in the business, Mark said.
“It comes full circle with Ren working back at NSS and a few of the staff members there that know of his plight. There’s another staff member at NSS that’s actually lost two children to brain cancer,” he said.
“When you come to understand what it does to victims and their families it is not an effort to try and help.
“We are part of the transport industry and want to contribute to the overall effort. It’s good for our business and our industry and, most of all, the community.”
Convoy for the Cure and its 280-plus truck and motor bike contingent was becoming a highlight on the community calendar, campaign organiser Todd Martin said.
Convoy had raised $700,000 in the last 10 years and $165,000 last year alone, he said
“A dollar more this year would be a great result,” he said.
Convoy starts at Webb Drive in the Bohle and finishes at Ross Dam on Sunday, May 25.