It’s been busy at SuperHeroes ACT headquarters as plans are underway for the year’s biggest fundraiser in their mission to bring laughter and joy to families impacted by childhood cancer. The Classic Cruise for Camp Quality sees heroes in cars and on bikes take off from the National Arboretum before landing at Questacon on Sunday 8 September.

Principal at OPC IT during working hours, Brett Norton moonlights as Iron Man and, together with the other members of SuperHeroes ACT, is calling on other heroes to come aboard.

Now in its eighth year, the Classic Cruise will see upwards of 300 classic, luxury, exotic, company-branded, unique vehicles and motorbikes of all kinds fly past some of Canberra’s icons. Behind the police escort, the SuperHeroes lead the way; with Iron Man behind the wheel of Jarvis, the 1993 Holden Club Sport wrapped in matching livery, they never fail to turn heads or raise a child’s smile.

The public is welcome to watch the Cruise start at the Arboretum or anywhere along the route (on the website) and join in the family fun day at Questacon car park. All heroes and supervillains are encouraged to dress as their alter ego for the Show and Shine, grab a sausage sizzle, have their faces painted, chat with the heroes and enjoy the vendors.

Alongside Iron Man are the SuperHeroes ACT committee members – Brett’s wife Super Girl (aka Cathy Norton), Thor and Wonder Woman (Ivan and Anna Slavich) and Sam Webster, who opts not to hide his true identity. Together, they work with the National Capital Authority, ACT Government and local policing to get the day going off without a hitch.

Local Camp Quality families will come aboard the Classic Cruise thanks to Murrays Coaches. They get a head start to welcome the convoy to Mt Ainslie before heading to Questacon to do the same and be treated to a day at the home of science.

If you want to support the Classic Cruise, there’s still time to register your vehicle if it fits one of the categories, or you can sponsor your favourite vehicle.

The top 10 fundraisers will be treated to an exclusive walk-through at Ollies’ Garage, the museum-like showroom of classic cars and memorabilia. All drivers receive a showbag full of goodies from sponsors including Murrays Coaches and The Fields, Murrumbateman.  

Local businesses are also supporting the online charity auction with fabulous lots on offer, such as a stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, wine and dining packages, hot laps in luxury cars, and Marq Property has even offered their services to sell a residence.

This year’s fundraising culminates in the Escarpade, an outback motoring adventure that sees around 50 to 60 cars driving 3,000 km in seven days while visiting regional schools.

“The kids get very excited,” Mr Norton says. “We take the time to explain to them what Camp Quality is all about. It helps the kids in the school understand why possibly one of their school friends might have lost all their hair. They do a puppet show and explain it all to them, it’s an education.”

Laughter as medicine

Camp Quality was founded in 1983 by Vera Entwistle, who luckily ignored the hospital that rejected her idea of taking kids facing cancer on camp. Believing that “laughter is the best medicine”, Ms Entwistle spearheaded the organisation for 17 years, enriching the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and shaping Camp Quality into what it is today.

No longer just a camp, it’s a 24/7 powerhouse that helps children and their families navigate a cancer diagnosis in a child aged under 15 years, with resources and online services, hospital and recreation programs. Whether it is through respite and getaways or educational programs through puppetry, Camp Quality is there every step of the way.

“Today there are 10,000 children nationally being supported, and there are 141 families just in our region here,” Mr Norton says.

A work colleague suggested to him that OPC choose a charity to support throughout the year and offered one close to his heart, Camp Quality.

“We signed up that day, and that was 14 years ago now – we’ve been fundraising for them ever since,” says Mr Norton.

While OPC supports over 30 local charities, Camp Quality is the one Mr Norton sees himself supporting for as long as he can.

“I think we all know someone who has been touched by cancer and whilst cancer for any person is horrendous, for a child it is extremely painful and hard to comprehend. We’re very keen to be able to bring a little happiness to children and their families,” he says.

“The true heroes are really the kids who are impacted by cancer, they’re our superheroes.”

The SuperHeroes ACT team offers more than financial support. Wonder Woman has been a Camp Quality companion since 1989 and three other heroes have signed up as companions, whose role is to support, facilitate and supervise at Camp Quality events. Mr Norton says their first one was sweet and rewarding.

“It was mixed emotions I have to say. We went to Holey Moley in the city, a great venue for the kids. The families came along and some of the children were quite impacted by cancer and others were in various stages but to see the happiness it brought the family as a whole was heartwarming.”

There is a thrill to see the fundraising efforts put to good use, like Camp Quality funding a fulltime Child Life Therapist at The Canberra Hospital’s children’s ward. Using medical play techniques, the therapist eases the anxiety of a child undergoing procedures and enduring extended hospital stays. They inform, empower and help the child through the process while also providing support to families.

“Taking a child into hospital to go through the first course or first assessment is fine, but these treatments hurt, so trying to get them in a second time is a bit of a challenge,” Mr Norton says. “They will be there to support the kids who will be going through these cancer treatments.”

Join the SuperHeroes in the Camp Quality Classic Cruise on Sunday 8 September from the National Arboretum at 10am or the Show and Sine at Questacon from 11am. Register your vehicle or donate via superheroesact.com.au

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