Cruise with a cause … Brett and Cathy Norton are urging motoring enthusiasts to join them for the 10th annual Classic Cruise Canberra on 14 September to support kids and their families impacted by cancer. Photo: Supplied.
Brett Norton happily admits he loves dressing up as Marvel Comics superhero Ironman.
Together with his wife Cathy (aka Super Girl) and a small but super-charged team, it’s a full-throttle effort to organise the Classic Cruise Canberra fundraiser for Camp Quality every year.
Ivan and Anna Slavich, together with Brett and Cathy, kicked off the first Classic Cruise in 2016 from the Mawson playing grounds with about 50 vehicles.
Now in its 10th year, the event is a must for local motoring enthusiasts and spectators with a spectacle of more than 400 classic, unique and exotic vehicles expected to hit the road on Sunday, 14 September to raise money for kids and families impacted by cancer.
Participants are encouraged to dress in their best superhero suits for a cruise through Canberra starting at the National Arboretum, taking in 10 iconic landmarks along the way and finishing in the Questacon car park with a Show N Shine and sausage sizzle.
Categories cover classic cars (older than 20 years), luxury and exotic cars, motorbikes, and unique or corporate vehicles, with your position in the pack determined by the amount of funds you raise.
Somewhere in the mix you’ll spot the Nortons (dressed as their alter egos of course) behind the wheel of Brett’s beloved 1993 Holden VR Clubsport, together with a committee fuelled by a desire to support the charity that helps make life brighter for kids facing cancer.
Their band of crusaders includes Ivan and Anna (Thor and Wonder Woman), Sam Webster (Captain America), Dan Norton (Deadpool), Jared Williams (Wolverine), Paul Powderley (Superman) and Maddy Norton as Ghost Spider.
“We call ourselves SuperHeroes ACT but it’s the kids who are the real superheroes,” says Brett, managing director of IT company OPC.
Brett and Cathy began fundraising for Camp Quality in 2009. They were not motivated by personal stories of a loved one with cancer – “we know we are among the lucky few” – but from recognising the need in the community.
“We started the Classic Cruise with 50 or so cars and raised about $20,000,” Brett says.
“Since then, the event has raised more than $801,735 for Camp Quality – and this year the aim is to crack the $1 million mark!”
There are 258 registered families facing cancer living across the wider ACT region, Brett says.
Last year alone, Camp Quality reported 760 children in Australia under the age of 14 were newly diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 9500 were undergoing treatment.
Brett says the longstanding children’s cancer charity understands the far-reaching impact for children under 15 diagnosed with cancer or having a parent or carer diagnosed.
“Cancer impacts the whole family when a child is unwell or a parent is diagnosed,” he says. “The pressure is enormous – people run out of leave, they lose their jobs, and often have to spend time travelling for treatment to Sydney.”
It’s why Brett and Cathy support Camp Quality in other ways, including its annual “esCarpade” outback driving adventure.
This year’s seven-day off-road fundraiser will see about 60 cars set off from Tamworth on a challenging course through Broken Hill and on to Griffith.
“Along the way we stop in to outback schools and tell the students all about Camp Quality and why we’re supporting kids and families with cancer,” Brett says.
“The kids get a real kick out of seeing 50 or so cars of all makes and models driving across the school oval. It’s a lot of fun for us and a lot of fun for them.”
He says one of the most heart-warming aspects of the Classic Cruise is the number of people who return year after year as participants, major sponsors and even spectators.
“It never fails to amaze me the excitement we feel doing this and the level of support we receive for this charity.”
Funds raised are used locally and have so far helped fund a child life therapist (located at Canberra Hospital), whose role is to support children to feel safe, understood and empowered, and to ensure they can continue to enjoy being a kid while dealing with a serious illness such as cancer.
This year’s Classic Cruise on Sunday, 14 September departs the Arboretum from 10am or watch entrants cross the finish line from 11am at the Questacon car park and join the epic Show ‘N’ Shine celebrations! Register, donate, sponsor or find out more on Facebook or Classic Cruise Canberra.
