The Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland (CVIAQ) has smashed the $1 million mark in its fundraising efforts over the past decade for the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland.

The 10th annual CVIAQ President’s Charity Dinner held on Saturday, 30 July at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre raised $160,000 for the Foundation. CVIAQ President, Bob Martin, said the funds raised at the 2011 dinner were on top of more than $900,000 raised through previous annual dinners.

“The proud relationship that the CVIAQ has built with the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland is now in its 10th year and this year’s charity dinner marked that important milestone,” Mr Martin said.

The CVIAQ partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation began in 2002 following the myeloma diagnosis of CVIAQ past-president Allan Ekford. Sadly, Allan passed away in 2006. During this time, CVIAQ members and industry representatives saw first-hand the valuable work of the Leukaemia Foundation and the role it played in assisting Allan.

Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland Acting CEO, Keiran Mylrea, said the CVIAQ continued to be a strong supporter of the not-for-profit organisation and its work.

“Without dedicated corporate partners like CVIAQ, we would not be able to continue providing a range of free services as accommodation, patient transport and personal support to patients and their families,” he said.

“We would also not be able to continue investing more than $1 million a year in medical research projects seeking better treatments and cures.”

Fundraising activities at the 2011 CVIAQ President’s Charity Dinner included live and silent auctions, raffles and a Giving Truck.

Guests were entertained by country music star Amber Lawrence and her band, and MC for the event was Channel Ten journalist and presenter, Lexy Hamilton-Smith.

CVIAQ CEO, Mr Brett Wright, expressed his gratitude to the CVIAQ Charity Committee - Mr Mark Johnston (Haulmark Trailers), Mr Chris Musch (Isuzu Australia), Ms Sharon O'Phee (O'Phee Trailers), Mr Mark Strambi (Manheim Fowles Auctions) and Mr Glen Lewis (LSM Technologies) for their commitment and dedication over the last ten years in raising funds to assist patients and their families living with Leukaemia, Lymphoma and other related blood diseases.