UPDATE: This event has been postponed until further notice.
It will be a night of good tunes and plenty of dancing when Bundaberg couple Debbie and Geoff Knowles host their Rock N Roll Roast and Dance Family Fun Night fundraiser for Camp Quality next week.
Under the name Team Cat in the Hat, the duo started their Camp Quality Escarpade fundraising journey eight years ago and said it was a charity that was very close to their hearts.
“We joined the Camp Quality Escarpade after we lost our son Brenton to cancer back in 2007, he lost his battle after five long years in and out of remission,” Debbie said.
“He was 15 when he passed.
“This is our way to give back and help this organisation continue to help others.”
Debbie said next week’s rock n roll event was part of the fundraising efforts for the 2021 escarpade, an outback motoring adventure which travels to rural communities promoting childhood cancer.
“The Camp Quality puppets travel to the schools and put on a show for the kids, promoting awareness of childhood cancer helping children to have a better understanding of cancer,” she said.
“We raise a minimum of $5000 which all goes to the children of Camp Quality – this is like an entry fee to join the event and we self-fund our own trip.
“There are approximately 70 cars that join the event from as far north as Bundaberg to as far south as the ACT.”
In order to raise enough money to qualify for Camp Quality's Escarpade in October, Debbie and Geoff are hosting the rock n roll night and have already drummed up plenty of support from local businesses and entertainers.
“I approached local band Kenny and the Retro Rockers and explained to them what Camp Quality was all about and what our involvement was with the charity,” Debbie said.
“They were very keen to help us, as was the Burnett Bowls Club to hold the function.
“Without these two businesses we would not be able to go ahead with this event.”
Debbie and Geoff said they were hoping for a sell-out night and have invited the community to join in on all the fun on Saturday, 28 August.
“We will have a lucky door prize and we are also encouraging people to dress up in their rock n roll outfits because we will have a prize for best costume too” Debbie said.
“There will be a multi-draw raffle going through the night to help with our fundraising and a lovely roast provided by the club and desert followed by some great tunes and plenty of dancing.”
Camp Quality provides an important service in time of need
Debbie said she was incredibly passionate about the work of Camp Quality and wanted to continue to show support for the organisation who had helped her family so much in the past.
“Through our own experience, Camp Quality provided so much for us as a family and especially Brenton,” she said
“The organisation allowed him to feel like a kid and feel like himself.
“There were times when he didn't have hair or had drips attached to him but it didn't matter because the other children at Camp Quality were the same, he no longer felt like an alien or like he didn't fit in and could just focus on having fun.”
In honour of Brenton, Debbie said she would continue the fundraising efforts she and husband Geoff had been involved in for eight years.
“Every dollar that we raise and everything we do is for him and for all of the kids out there that are going through cancer,” she said.
