As a self-professed “city gal”, addressing an audience from the stage at a small town club dressed in pink flannelette pyjamas was not something that Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas ever thought she’d do.

Then again, there was a surreal quality to a lot of what Deborah did the year she joined the esCarpade – in the best possible way.

Camp Quality is an Australian charity that brings positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer. esCarpade is the fundraiser that has, over 32 years, raised over $24 million to help fund its services.

Dubbed a Party with Purpose, the event sees a convoy of hard-hitting fundraisers dressing up, pimping out about 50 themed vehicles and travelling in a convoy from town to town to spread awareness, deliver the Camp Quality Cancer Education Program and inject a whole lot of joy into local communities.

“The kids and locals in the places we visit absolutely love seeing this rally,” Deborah says.

“Among the vehicles, there’s an homage to everything from Super Mario Bros to The Simpsons.”

This year was the first year esCarpade departed from the national capital to run a 1600 km route from Canberra’s Old Parliament House to Geelong via Echuca, from Sunday, 20 October, to Saturday, 26 October.

It was a fitting place to kick the party off, according to Deborah.

“We have so many amazing supporters in Canberra, particularly SuperHeroes ACT. They’re the team that organises the Classic Cruise, which raises substantial funds for Camp Quality,” she says.

SuperHeroes ACT was founded by Brett and Cathy Norton and Ivan and Anna Slavich 15 years ago. They are joined by their good friend, Sam Webster.

All the money they’ve raised through the Classic Cruise and other events this year (currently totalling over $200,000), plus all the other fundraisers over the past 12 months, will go towards Camp Quality’s $1 million target.

“They help to rally the Canberra community to support Camp Quality and provide us with insights that enable us to operate more effectively. This helps us be sure that we have the right contacts to implement the best-placed supports for local families that need our help in the ACT and surrounding regions,” Deborah says.

“Money raised by esCarpade gives families a vital break from cancer at Family Getaways, Camps and Fun Days, and also helps to deliver the Cancer Education Program, with the Camp Quality Puppets, to primary schools and early learning centres across Australia.

“This year, we were also able to fund a Canberra Hospital Child Life Therapist. It’s vital that these services for ACT families with young children facing cancer are in place in their local region.”

So far, Camp Quality has raised over $730,000 towards its target thanks to the dedication of the esCarpadians. Like the SuperHeroes ACT, many have been involved for years.

“People keep coming back because it’s such an enriching experience. Some people save up their holidays for esCarpade,” Deborah says. “Aside from being such a worthy cause, it’s actually a super fun event.”

Over seven days, this eclectic and unlikely band of merry misfits makes pit stops twice a day to keep the party going, with different esCarpadians in charge of arranging activities.

“You might stop and someone has arranged a mini bowling alley set up in the middle of the bush with drinks, cheese and charcuterie. Everyone tries to outdo each other at their fun stops. This usually continues into the evenings where there might be a pyjama party disco held at the local club in a regional town,” Deb says.

“It’s also great for the towns we visit because it boosts their local economies.”

Along the way, the Camp Quality Cancer Education Program Puppets entertain and educate kids in local schools via age-appropriate, interactive performances that bust cancer myths and help to reduce bullying.

“We get amazing letters back from the kids. They’re thrilled to have the puppets there,” Deborah says. “The anti-bullying messages hit home for a lot of people, and it’s so uplifting to be able to have that impact in these places.”

To help make a difference in the lives of families with children facing cancer, donate to esCarpade.

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