The Dragons today presented a cheque for $100,000 to the i98FM Illawarra Convoy to help provide support to those affected by potentially life-threatening medical conditions throughout the Illawarra.
The club celebrated the i98FM Illawarra Convoy Round at WIN Stadium against the Bulldogs in Round 9 with $5 from every ticket purchase donated.
The Dragons have supported the Convoy for a number of years now having raised significant funds and gifted individuals and families memorable experiences.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb was thrilled to be presenting the cheque to Convoy manager Mark Rigby at WIN Stadium.
“It’s an exciting day for us at the Dragons,” Webb said.
“For many years now, we’ve been strong supporters of the Convoy and everything that it’s done for the Illawarra Community Foundation.
"I’m really excited today to present a cheque of $100,000 from our recent game. We’re really grateful for everyone’s that chipped in and supported this and put this money towards a great cause.”
Webb is proud of the club’s commitment to supporting the local community through events such as the Convoy.
“We take pride in being a community club and ingrained into this local community,” he said.
“For this to come off so well is a great thing for us and we’re very proud of it. [We want to] always grow and continue on. We’re in the Illawarra, Convoy’s in the Illawarra and we’re entrenched as a part of this so we’ll grow together for a number of years.”
Rigby was extremely grateful for the Dragons’ continued support and the role the club plays in providing funds and lasting experiences to families in need.
“I’d just like to say a big, massive thank you to the Dragons for their continued support of not only Convoy but hundreds of families in the Illawarra doing it tough due to life-threatening medical conditions,” Rigby said.
“Not only did we get to accept a $100,000 donation today which was available thanks to their generous support as partners [but], on the day, they were able to gift over 120 tickets to families that don’t often get to see footy.
"To see over 120 families here on the day having a great time cheering on the Dragons was amazing. They got to come on the field, meet some of the players, some of them went home with the players’ football boots, signatures, all sorts of stuff.
“It’s usually a great day for Convoy, a great day for the families, and the most successful Convoy Round yet and we look forward to a really successful partnership moving forward.”
The funds raised by the Convoy are being used to make tangible and direct impacts on the lives of Illawarra families doing it tough.
“Today, the Illawarra Community Foundation’s supported over 450 local families with things like food and fuel vouchers, pharmacy accounts, medical expenses,” he said.
“2023 sees us wrap up the fifth stage of the Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward upgrade which involved $4.3 million donated from Illawarra Community Foundation, so we’re pretty proud to see that project come to completion this year.”
Illawarra Community Foundation Director and Dragons Chairman Andrew Lancaster is pleased that the Dragons continue to be such key factor within the community.
“To have the Dragons support such a strong, community event is incredibly important and it’s something that we appreciate greatly,” Lancaster said.
“The Dragons understand that we don’t just represent our community, we’re a part of our community and being involved in events like Convoy and the Illawarra Community Foundation’s fundraising efforts is really important not just because of where we are based but because it’s really important for us to be able to help out people.”
Since its inception, Convoy has raised over $23 million for families in the Illawarra and will continue holding fundraiser events with the aim of supporting those who need it.
