My Thank You

At Camp Quality we believe in improving the quality of life for children living with cancer and their families through unrelenting optimism and the healing power of laughter.  The way our families treasure and appreciate the programs we deliver every day is our greatest reward.  Our kids are brave, courageous and show resilience - they inspire us.

On behalf of Camp Quality and the kids and families we look after, I want to thank you:

Fairy King, Davey, Carol, Dave, Scott, Mark, Sophie, Kristy, Maree, Nathan, Troy,

Damian, Kempy, AJ, Heath, Cathy, Sharna, Chris and Denis

the 19 inspirational people who took on and conquered this Challenge.  The way you all trained and fundraised so hard was incredible.  The way you all came together to support each other each and every day was amazing.

Thank you also to our amazing Support Crew - Ash, Fairy Queen, Louise, Brad, Keith, Don and Graham who went beyond the call of duty to ensure all our riders were kept safe and healthy and that their bags, accommodation, food and washing were all taken care of. 

Thank You to Jenny for attending to everyone's aches and pains and the never ending massages and Nick for keeping everyone's bikes on the road. This event would not have happened without you all.

Thank you also to everyone for so passionately joining in "Fun Therapy" every night and for embracing the Camp Quality culture and spreading the word in every School and Town we went to.

I would like to say a massive Thank You to our wonderful Ride Co-Ordinator, Michael Phillips (Fairy King).  Michael has spent hundreds of hours in the past 6 months working to make this Ride a success.  His attention to detail and incredible organisation was extremely evident in every facet of the Ride.  Thank You King - we love you and you did an incredible job.

I feel extremely privileged to have shared this adventure with you all and Camp Quality is indebted to you all for your positive attitude, abounding energy and commitment to reach our goal of $80,000.00.  Because of your incredible attitude and unrelenting determination to reach our target, we were able to raise an incredible $101,000.00 - you are special people and your efforts will mean so much to our Camp Quality families.

Lastly, these events don't happen without the support of so many (too many to mention, but you all know who you are).  I would however like to make special mention of my unbelievable work colleagues Louise, Lynne and Michelle who absolutely live the One Team mantra and were there every step of the way in planning this event.  Finally, thank you to my two incredible sons, Ben & Ethan, who give up so much of their time with me to allow me to run these events - I love you more than anything. xx

Until our next adventure

Donna. xx

Thank You Team Westrac

Thank You Team Westrac

 

AJ, Kristy, Jen and Chris



Team Westrac Members

·         Kristy Laney

·         Aaron McGuigan

·         Chris Gallegos

·         Jenny Penfold

Team Westrac Sponsors

•         Westrac
•         Bikeworx - Erina
•         John Oxley Motors
•         Waratah Sports
•         Lovers of Lovedale
•        Tuncurry Bowling Club
•         Ethos Health
•        Tower Australia
•        Jesmond Fruit Barn
•        Palm Valley

Thank You Team Ampcontrol

Thank You Team Ampcontrol

 

Nathan, Heath, Maree and Damian



Team Ampcontrol Members

•       Heath Raftery
•       Nathan Cameron
•       Maree Laney
•       Damian Charleson

Team Ampcontrol Sponsors

•       Ampcontrol
•       Jayco Caravans
•       Newcastle Muscle Pain Solutions
•       Waratah Sports
•       Hunter Valley Homes
•       Aerogenesis
•       Relf Business Solutions
•       Asteron
•       Kakadu Annexes
•       Palm Valley

Thank You Team Peabody Wambo

 

Scott, Troy, Sharna and Davey



Team Peabody Wambo Members

·         Davey Booth

·         Sharna Sutherland

·         Scott Sam

·         Troy Cameron

Team Peabody Wambo Sponsors

•         Peabody Wambo Coal
•         Caltex
•         Tea Gardens Real Estate
•         Waratah Sports
•         Lake Group Strata
•         Anera Hair Studio
•         McCosker Partners
•         Auto Pro Raymond Terrace
•         Pegasus
•         Gencom



Thank You Team Peabody Wambo

Thank You Team Solatube

Thank You Team Solatube



Sharna, Carol, King and Sophie



Team Solatube Members

 ·        Michael Phillips (Fairy King)

·       Carol Compton

·         Cathy Banks

·         Sophie Towns

Team Solatube Sponsors

•         Simply Genuine Skylight & Ventilation
•         Michael Phillips Financial Planning
•         Geared Engineering
•         Waratah Sports
•         Mortgage Partners
•         Acumon Accounting
•         Sullivan Joinery
•         Salamander Fitness
•         Carpet One Forster
•         First National Tuncurry

Thank You Team Sylvania Lighting

Thank You Team Sylvania Lighting



Denis, Mark, Kempy and Dave

Team Sylvania Lighting Members

·         David Corin

·         Ben Kemp

·         Mark West

·         Denis Robertson

Team Sylvania Lighting Sponso

•       Sylvania Lighting
•       National Foods
•       Mynetrades
•       Waratah Sports 
•       Kiwanis Club of Newcastle
•       Gloucester Coal
•       Growthwise
•       Summitfit
•       Pegasus
•       Lift 4 U



Nick the Wonder Mechanic

 

A massive thank you to our wonderful Bike Mechanic - Nick.



Nick at work !



Nick fixing AJ's bike



It seems AJ won the award for the most punctures on the ride - Fairy King named him Mr. Olympia (because he was up to 5 punctures) !!

Still fixing AJ's bike !



Not only did Nick fix all punctures and bike problems that any of the riders had, but he also rode all the way as well - and he even had his birthday with us while away.

Homeward Bound

Kempy & Dave helping cook breakfast

Today when everyone woke up there was a real excitement about the fact that we were all on our way home to see family and friends.  After checking out  of our hotels, we hit the round to go only 5 minutes away to have the breakfast kindly supplied by the Upper Hunter Rotoract.  They were a bit short handed so some of the riders jumped in to give a hand.  With breakfast finished and a photo taken with the Rotoract, everyone was back on their bikes to head into Branxton.  The riders rode along next to each other supporting each other all the way and enjoying each other's company. 


Branxton CWA



Mark supporting Maree



When we arrived in Branxton we called at the Branxton CWA and were treated to a scrumptious morning tea that the ladies had prepared for us.  We definately did a lot of eating on this trip !!

We left Branxton and were on our way to our final destination - Maitland Park Bowling Club. 

Coming in to Maitland Park

Scott, Davey, Troy & Sharna

Boy what a welcome the riders received as they rode in.  Family and friends formed a guard of honour for the bikes to come through and as the riders rode through poppers and streamers went off everywhere and there was a fantastic big finish arch covered in Camp Quality posters and flags.



Some of the Welcome Home party.

Here comes Chris ...












Then there was lots of smiles, hugs and tears as everyone got to see their family and friends after having completed an amazing 400 kilometres of riding in order to raise awareness and funds for the inspirational kids of Camp Quality.


Thank you so much Beaker for all the effort you put into making the Welcome Home Party such a wonderful event - it was an amazing effort and very much appreciated.





The Finish Line !



Singleton

Fairy King, Sophie and Kristy

The riders got into Singleton around 2.30 p.m. and they were all keen for showers.  Maurie from Good Year Autocare had generously offered for us to to store our bikes overnight in his shed so after locking all the bikes away keys were given out.  As we couldn't all fit at the Albion overnight, some of the guys were given rooms at the Agi Hotel.  The Agi was a step back in time and the bedrooms left a bit to be desired !!



Bikes being stored at Good Year



Beds at the Agi Hotel !!

 



Everyone gathered for dinner at 5.30 p.m. and it was great to have some of our CQ Companions come up to join in the celebrations and stay overnight to see us all off the next morning.  Thank you Heidi, Amanda, Naida, Ann, Ali and Craig; my niece Jade and good friend Princess Mary and Fairy King's parents for making the effort.  It was awesome to have you all there.





 



After dinner several of the riders and support crew took off up to the Agi Hotel to sell merchandise and collect donations - once again the locals were very generous.

The winners of the "Special Jerseys" tonight were Denis, Davey, Jen and Kempy. 

Everyone partied on with lots more pool being played, lots of catching up and many song choices on the juke box.  At 11.00 p.m the Pub was closing but the nightclub upstairs was opening!! 

Louise - the pool shark !!

Some of the "die hards" decided to party on, but most of us went to bed.  It proved very difficult for some of us to get much sleep with the noise from the nightclub - especially Fairy King and Queen whose room was literally next door to the Club.  Unfortunately the night club didn't close until 3.00 a.m!!

Looking forward to getting home to see everyone tomorrow.

Donna. xx

Fairy King "Owling"



Scone to Aberdeen and Singleton

Scone Lions Club

Another great night was had by all at the Court House Hotel in Scone.  The wonderful Scone Lions Club treated us to an awesome BBQ dinner followed by fruitcake.  It was great to have our wonderful Blue Team Sponsor come up to Scone for the night to show their support.  Team Solatube and all the riders really appreciated them staying over for the night and joining us for breakfast this morning.



Carol with Mascot "Yogi"



Fun Therapy last night was turned into "warm and fuzzy therapy".  We went around everyone and got them to answer two questions:

1.    What are you missing the most from home? ; and
2.    What is your most memorable moment or what will you most take away from this trip?

Of course most people were most missing their families, beds and baths.  Scott took the prize for funniest telling us that besides his family, he was most missing his three chickens !!

Warm & Fuzzy Night

Regarding people's most memorable moment or what they will take away from this trip - these answers were absolutley amazing and lots of the answers had the girls and some of the guys tearing up again.  The common thread running through most answers was by far the wonderful friends they have made, the amazing camp quality culture, the way everyone looked out for everyone and it was a complete TEAM effort and the amazing bond that they all share now having almost conquered this challenge together for the amazing Camp Quality kids and their families.

I was so proud to stand there and listen to them all as they gave their answers.  These are an amazing bunch of people and Camp Quality is so lucky to have them as part of their famiily.

Maree, Carol and Lou

The night proved to be another late night for the "stayers" with lots of pool being played  and singing and dancing thanks to the tracks being played from the Jukebox.  All the while our lovely Louise was running around grabbing people as they came into the pub to sell them a stubby holder, give them a happy card and then finish off with a joke - she is just amazing and such a wonderful ambassador for Camp Quality.

Denis accepting a cheque
from Aberdeen Lions

Everyone was up bright an early again this morning and keen to get on the road.  We had a 12km ride into Aberdeen where the Aberdeen Lions Club were waiting with a cooked breakfast.  After grabbing a few muesli bars and bits of fruit, the riders hit the road and headed for Aberdeen.

We all shared a great breakfast with the Aberdeen Lions and not only did they cook us an awesome breakfast but they also presented us with a $200.00 cheque.  I have to make special mention of Craig from the Top Pub in Aberdeen and my special deputies "The Silver Fox" and especially "The Rat".  These guys were only approached by us about 3 weeks ago to help us organise a breaky stop for the riders and they just ran with it. 

Donna, The Rat, King and Queen

The Rat organised the Lions, got bacon and eggs donated, sat outside the Bakery and Newsagent selling tickets for the 3 week lead up to our arrival.  This amazing guy raised over $1,500.00 in 3 weeks for our kids.

After saying our farewells to Aberdeen we were back on the road again bound for Muswellbrook.  Craig from the Top Pub and his son, Mitch decided to ride into Muswellbrook with us and it was awesome to have them on the road as part of the team.

On arriving in Muswellbrook, we were greeted by the fantastic Muswellbrook Lioness Club. 

Muswellbrook Lioness Club

These ladies presented us with a cheque for $100.00 and had arranged take away sandeiches, slices and juice for all the riders to have a little bit further down the road - such a lovely gesture that was very much appreciated by all.

The riders then hit the road again bound for Singleton, while Brad and I went ahead to organise rooms, get bags into rooms, get the washing done and get the Hotel ready for everyone's arrival. 

Stay tuned for more blogging and pictures soon.

Thanks for reading,
Donna. xxx

Farwell Murrurundi and Hello Scone !!

Well, a great night was had by all at the White Hart Hotel, with a great meal, a visit by the Murrurundi Lions Club to give us a cheque, lots of fundraising with the locals and everyone getting in on fun therapy by wearing Bandannas - even Rob who was serving behind the bar.



"Boy Band" - Troy, Davey & King



Scott, Don, Troy & Kristy,
Today's "Special Jersey" Winners



Lots of people went to bed early after the 92 km day but Jen and Troy were the stayers and were there until very late - yet again!!

Kempy, Nick and AJ

Troy and Jen

 We all went to sleep with the rain pounding down on our roofs hoping and praying it would pass by this morning but this was not to be the case - we woke up to lots more rain this morning .  But, our wonderful riders once again took it all in their stride. 

They loaded up on breakfast, got into their wet weather gear and hit the road bound for Murrurundi Public School, where we were met by 40 very excited kids.  Once again the kids at the Schools we visited had lots of interesting questions to ask - check out these two:-

Aberdeen Public School

*   One little 5 year old boy asked could he tell the riders a joke.  When we said yes, he said "why did the chicken cross the road"  We all said "why"?  With a grin from ear to ear he loudly announced "cause he farted"!!

*   A young girl (after finding our Michael and Karen's nicknames are Fairy King and Fairy Queen) asked "do you have any fairy children" and "do you have a wand"?

After leaving this school the riders headed off in the pouring rain and cold wind bound for Wingen.

Here Louise, Brad and myself had fresh sandwiches waiting for them.  Lunch break was fairly quick as the rain was getting heavier and we didn't want the riders to get too cold.  So off into Scone they went.  They were such a great site to see on the road all riding along helping each other brave the conditions to get to the other end.  After 42 kms they arrived at Scone and quickly went to their rooms to have showers and a rest.

Sophie's family (also sponsors of Team Solatube) have arrived to spend the night and support Sophie and the riders so it will be nice to have them here.

The Scone Lions Club are coming to the Royal Hotel tonight to cook everyone a BBQ which the riders are really looking forward to.

Special mention has to be made to Nick our WONDERFUL bike mechanic who is not only riding but fixing all punctures - of which AJ has had four so far.



Nick at work on AJ's bike

 Stay tuned for more blogs soon,

Donna.

Welcome to Murrurundi !!!

Camp Quality loves our Ride 4 Kids Team !!


Heath, Mark, Carol and Graham
in the "Special Jerseys"



I am so so proud of all the riders and the support crew who protected them all the way up and over the great dividing range.



We all left Tamworth this morning about 8.30 a.m. after the biggest best breakfast ever put on by the wonderful cooks at the Court House Hotel - the King was in heaven !!

About to leave Court House Hotel



 

The riders had 93 kms to conquer and boy oh boy did they take on that mountain and dominate !!!

We had several snack stops along the way before getting into Willow Tree.  Here we were met by all the kids of Werris Creek and the amazing Willow Tree Lions Club.  The Lions Club put on a sausage sizzle for us all and an incredible array of homemade cakes and slices - yummo !!

Willow Tree Lions Club



Maree & Kristy

After lunch the riders headed off for the big climb up and over the great dividing range.  They all went at their own pace with several of them really "unleashing the fury" going up the hill - Scott and Heath were gone - wow the power in those legs - must be Dave Corin's stretching classes !!  After lots of help for the slower members of the group from all the better members of the group, everyone made it to the top to regroup before going on the downhill straight into Murrurundi.  There were lots of tears of relief from many of the riders especially Maree and Kristy - One Very Proud Mum !!




Scott surrounded by the kids from Werris Creek

 

All the riders got into the White Hart about 3.30 pm and the local paper was there to meet us all to get a story and photo.  After this everyone had showers, Jen started massages and by 5.30 p.m. everyone was back down stairs for drinks and nibbles before our dinner to be served at 6.00 p.m. - everyone except Nathan who hasn't yet been seen after he went for a little nap !!



Graham, Don and Keith
Our amazing Support Crew Drivers



Our support crew drivers - Don, Keith and Graham did an INCREDIBLE job today keeping all our riders safe and special thanks also to our wonderful Medical Team, Ash and Queen who are making sure everyone is staying fit and healthy.  Logistics Brad has become the best washer and dryer ever and is working his butt off making sure all bags are in people's rooms, all radios are charged and everything is running smoothly.  Louise (nicknamed "Road Kill Scout") is doing an amazing job supplying snacks at each break and reporting "road kill" to everyone as she travels along the road in front of everyone.



Sharna, Kristy and Jen - "Boy Band Look"



Sharna, Kristy and Jen - "Kmart Catalogue Look"



What can I say - these are an amazing bunch of people all working together and helping each other conquer their mountains.

Stay tuned for what happens tonight ??????

Donna. xx