A recently refurbished blue 1985 Scania 112 6×4 tipper will lead a 200-strong cavalcade of trucks for the Convoy For The Cure in Townsville this Sunday, 30 May.
The cure being sought is for a serious strain of brain cancer that affects children, and the Scania will be the face of the public appeal to augment the generosity of local truckies.
“The Scania is dubbed the ‘Peoples’ Truck’,” said convoy promoter, Todd Martin.
“We’re encouraging members of the public to make a donation to the cause and get their name or logo on the side of the tipper body. In previous years this concept has been a great way of including Australians who are not truckies, but who want to make a contribution to the fundraising. We’re sponsored by the local Power100 radio station which will promote the event throughout the run-up and during the day as well,” Todd said.
The historic truck is owned by Ross Gofton, a cane farmer who lives just outside Townsville. A while ago he bought six Scanias on their retirement from the city council. The Scania 112 to be used in the Convoy has been repainted, has new seats, and is in generally very sound order despite having had 35 years on the road as a tipper.
The truck is now dedicated to static display and charitable activities and has been painted throughout in two-pack paint. The cab is finished in Scania blue, with a red chassis. The tipper body is pristine in glowing white, which will set off the sponsor logos a treat.
The cavalcade of trucks rolling through Townsville will exceed 15 km at its peak, with all trucks massing in a park outside town before dispersing. Some trucks are expected from as far away as the Northern Territory.
Scania Australia, and its independent authorised service and parts dealer in Townsville, Honeycombes Sales and Service, will make a sizeable donation to the Convoy For The Cure. Honeycombes’ Kevin Jones said the business was very pleased to be partnering with Scania to support the worthy cause, and to have a Scania at the head of the convoy.
“We’re seeing an increasing number of new Scanias on the road in the region and so it’s good to be able to have a heritage model involved in the convoy. The event has been running for five years and is always well patronised and attracts a lot of attention in the town,” Kevin said. “We hope that the appeal of the peoples’ truck will result in a strong flow of donations to support this very important charitable cause.”
“Money raised from previous Convoys For The Cure have already led to breakthroughs by researchers in the treatment of childhood brain cancer,” Todd Martin said. “We can make a difference.”
