Big Wheels Keep On Rollin' For Coast Convoy
Central Coast Herald
Monday August 11, 2003
CENTRAL Coast Convoy for Kids founder and truck driver Bruce Penton was not ashamed of the tears in his eyes as he drove into Gosford yesterday with 260 of his mates.
Old truckers do cry.
``I get a tear in my eye when I see the families and kids waving on the sides of the streets," Mr Penton said.
``People standing on the side of the road to cheer us on. It doesn't happen for the convoy in Sydney; only on the Central Coast.
``It's a real community event here."
At least 50,000 people filled Gosford Showground for the seventh Transport Workers Union/Herald Convoy for Kids.
They came for the monster truck show, to talk to the truckers and inspect their rigs and to enjoy an affordable family day.
``My idea right at the start was to raise money for kids and put on a family day that even people on tight budgets could afford," Mr Penton said. ``I always thought it would be popular but I never dreamt it would be this big."
The 260 trucks and drivers came from as far away as Brisbane and Melbourne.
They included Lisarow driver Allan Watt, who said most truckers were ``big softies" who liked to help children and enjoyed the public response as they sounded their horns between Tuggerah Business Park and Gosford Showground.
Jeremy Mears, of Point Clare, was at the showground with sons Morgan, 4, and Andre, 2.
``Morgan's mad for monster trucks," Mr Mears said.
``It's a good day out for us and it's nice to raise money for kids."
Mr Penton praised The Herald as ``a fantastic partner and sponsor".
``It's the biggest crowd we've ever had," he said.
``Without The Herald we wouldn't have been able to make it the great day that it is."
© 2003 Central Coast Herald
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