Pub to host quality event

ALTHOUGH she can’t watch this year’s i98 Camp Quality Convoy for Kids with Marty and Bianca in person, six-year-old Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patient Hailey will be there in spirit.

Hailey received a bone marrow transplant last Thursday and will be recovering for six to eight weeks, so will miss the Convoy on November 15.

Last year’s Convoy was held not long after Hailey was diagnosed and, as her sister Nadene Ryan and friend Jessica Burton watched the trucks and motorcycles head for Albion Park, the friends decided to stage a fundraising event this year.

“Everyone comes to Windang to watch it anyway, but don’t donate, so we thought why don’t we get some money off people while they’re there,” Ms Ryan said.

The women approached the Lake Illawarra Hotel and general manager Steve Hampton agreed to hold a community fun day and sausage sizzle at the pub to coincide with the Convoy.

“There was no question whatsoever about it,” Mr Hampton said. “We never have any hesitation helping out the community, especially for something like that.”

Ms Ryan said Hailey was coping well with her condition under the circumstances.

“She’s had a few little setbacks with sickness,” she said.

“She’s been good. It’s funny how it does not really knock them around so much. I think it’s knocked my parents around more.”

The Convoy fundraiser at Lake Illawarra Hotel was not so much in honour of Hailey but just to support the little girl and her family.

“Windang is such a tight-knit community and Hailey’s dad is really well-known here,” Ms Burton said.

Nadene and Jessica will be in the Lake Illawarra Hotel car park from 10am on November 15 for a community barbie.

There will be a jumping castle and candles will be for sale for Camp Quality.