In their mission to raise funds for Camp Quality, Bundaberg locals Debbie and Geoff Knowles are about to take off on a journey over 5000km long around Australia.
The duo will be joined by their sidekick and Camp Quality companion Janice Wharton under the team name Cat in the Hat, trekking from Bundaberg to Victoria, to Mount Gambier in South Australia and back to Victoria before heading home again.
“It's all for Camp Quality esCarpade, which is an outback motoring adventure and fundraiser,” Debbie said.
“To enter, you must travel in a vehicle that is a minimum of 20 years old and raise $5000 before the trek begins.”
Camp Quality esCarpade
esCarpade is one of Camp Quality’s biggest annual national fundraisers and Australia’s wackiest outback motoring adventure.
The event includes year-round fundraising by dedicated and hard-working fundraisers committed to creating a better life for kids living with cancer.
In the seven-day outback motoring adventure, teams drive distances of up to 350km each day all off the beaten track.
A cause close to their hearts
It's the sixth year that Debbie and Geoff have participated in the event and it was a fundraising cause they said was very close to their hearts.
“In 2007 we lost one of our children to childhood cancer. Our boy was diagnosed at the age of 10 and battled the disease for five years before he lost that battle,” Debbie said.
“During this time Camp Quality provided endless support to our boy and our family with fun camps for our children and us as a family to attend.
“It's a place where children can just be themselves along with others struggling with this horrible disease.”
Debbie said participating in esCarpade was an opportunity to give back to the organisation that gave so much to their family.
“We cannot speak highly enough of the support that was offered to us through Camp Quality and now would like to help raise funds and give back to other families that are going through what we went through,” she said.
“In the six years we have participated in the event we have raised over $50,000 and it's all thanks to the community and local businesses who have supported us.
“Without them we would not be able to do this.”
Team Cat in the Hat
Debbie, Geoff and Janice take off on their next esCarpade adventure tomorrow under their team name, Cat in the Hat.
“We are very excited and have so far raised $7100 for Camp Quality this year,” Debbie said.
“From our Bunnings sausage sizzles to raffles and donations, we have had so much support from the Bundaberg Region.”
Debbie said three local businesses had also jumped on board, providing all of the work to their vehicle free of charge.
“Our car was painted by Concept Smash Repairs for free, airbursh artist Jason Garden did all of the fantastic design and GT Detailing made everything look fantastic,” she said.
“We would love to give a huge shout out to these businesses for all of their help and hard work.”
Keep track of team Cat in the Hat
With their epic adventure to begin tomorrow, Debbie said she was hopeful the community would help spread the word and keep donations rolling in.
“People can keep track of how we are going through our Facebook page or our website,” she said.
“As they say at Camp Quality “laughter is the best medicine”, so please give generously so we can spread those smiles far and wide.”
You can donate to team Cat in the Hat here.
