Camp Quality’s esCarpade rally entertained an excited Buninyong Public School crowd early on Monday, October 20.

The iconic car rally left Tamworth’s Longyard Hotel on Sunday, October 19, to make its way for seven days along backroads to Broken Hill, finishing in Griffith on Saturday, October 25.

Some 64 brightly decorated classic cars and their costumed drivers will travel over 2888 kilometres visiting rural schools and raising funds for Camp Quality along the way as part of the trek.

Each team has been fundraising for months with a goal of raising $1,100,000 to support Camp Quality’s services and programs, delivering fun and laughter to kids and families impacted by cancer. Now in its 33rd year, esCarpade is filled with characters, camaraderie and laughter. For first-time participants, Justin and wife Andrea, esCarpade is deeply personal.

"Our son, Matteo, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in May 2024," they explained.

"He endured nearly 11 months of intensive treatment at the Children’s Hospital in Randwick, including chemotherapy, surgeries, endless tests, and countless blood products and medications. While he is now in remission and doing well, he still requires daily maintenance treatment and antibiotics as his immune system recovers.

"After everything our family has been through with Matteo’s diagnosis and treatment, we wanted to be part of something that not only raises funds for Camp Quality but also brings joy and support to other families going through the same journey. It’s our way of saying thank you and paying it forward,” they said.

Camp Quality supports children aged 0-15 years old dealing with their own cancer diagnosis, or the diagnosis of a sibling or parent. The program brings positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer, and offers services and programs to foster supportive communities, education and awareness.

The Camp Quality puppets also joined the esCarpade journey, performing age-appropriate Cancer Education Program shows in schools along the route to support children dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

Deborah Thomas, Camp Quality CEO, says that the much-anticipated esCarpade fundraiser provides vital funds to support families in need.

“The funds raised by the esCarpade participants in the months leading up to the event is phenomenal and allows Camp Quality to support hundreds of families.

"Our motoring events are a core part of Camp Quality’s fundraising. The esCarpade participants are dedicated members of our Camp Quality community, and we are so grateful for their support.”

Lego Legends are a group of three sisters in their third year of the esCarpade trip. Hailing from the Hawkesbury area, the trio shared their joy in participating.

“It is such a rewarding experience. We are blessed with a healthy family, and we wanted to find a way to give back. Camp Quality is such a worthy foundation and the esCarpade rally is a wonderful way to help raise awareness and funds for children facing a diagnosis of cancer," they said.

"It helps create memories outside the hospital, and we are proud to say Lego Legends and the Team Misfits have raised over $50,000 this year to help Camp Quality.”