Cousins Jeffrey Bragg and Christine Monaghan are set to hit the road again next month for the 2021 Kidney Kar Rally.
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The Greenwell Point duo going buckled up for the 2019 event and are looking forward to this year's rally, which will see them take on the back roads between Mudgee and Young, NSW.
Named the Nowra Nomads, Christine and Jeffrey will also be joined by fellow Shoalhaven teams the Old Farts, led by Ian Usher from Bomaderry, and team Cabernet Merlot, led by John Druce from North Nowra.
Fifty-two rally cars will set out on the gruelling but fun six-day challenge on Saturday, August 14 to raise vital funds to help kids and youth living with kidney disease.
Christine said her experience as an aged care nurse has given her a valuable insight into the importance of treating kidney disease from an early age.
"I see the end results of kidney problems if nothing is done and it's very sad," she said.
"It's also so important to raise funds to help these kids who are sick to get away on a holiday, have fun and not think about their illness for a little while."
Christine said the 2019 proved to be a great experience, with plenty of comradeship between the teams.
Kidney Health Australia Chief Executive Officer, Chris Forbes, said it was great to have the rally back on the road.
"It's also so important to raise funds to help these kids who are sick to get away on a holiday, have fun and not think about their illness for a little while."
- Christine Monaghan, Team Nowra Nomads
"With the pandemic halting much of our community fundraising activity last year, it's great to have the Kidney Kar Rally back raising vital funds to help children and young people deal with the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of this life changing disease," Mr Forbes said.
Supercar driver Lee Holdsworth is thrilled to be supporting the Rally this year and helping such a worthy cause.
"It's exciting to be involved in the Kidney Kar Rally for 2021, it will be good fun being on the dirt tracks in outback Australia with some fellow car enthusiasts all while supporting a great cause! The Rally will raise much needed funds for kids and youth living with kidney disease, and I'm honoured to be a part of the event" says Lee.
Kidney Health Australia's Kidney Kar Rally's six-day route will start in Mudgee, the 'nest in the hills' and then venture across it's beautiful countryside, driving through Meadow Flat, Lithgow, Oberon, Cowra, Adavale Lane, West Wyalong, Hay, Finley, Narrandera, before finishing in Young on Thursday, August 19.
Locals will get the chance to see the cars up close as they pass through the towns and the local communities are urged to get behind the Rally and help fundraising efforts.
This year's fundraising goal is $500,000 and the Event Director John Paine is confident they will raise this, given the passion and dedication of the rally participants and their supporters.
"It's fantastic to see how passionate our fundraisers are, they have already raised an incredible $280,000. I have no doubt we will reach our goal by the end of the rally, all of which helps to change the lives of children and youth impacted by kidney disease," he said.
The rally is not a race but a test of skills with drivers having to navigate the off-road terrain. However, the track is designed to allow the novice and the experienced to participate on a level playing field.
Whilst there's camaraderie between participants, the rally is competitive and organised by individuals who have rallied competitively for most of their lives.
Mr Forbes said Kidney Health Australia was continually grateful for the ongoing support of the rally participants and organisers, who have raised over $15m in total for Kidney Health Australia's annual Kidney Kids Camp and youth programs.
"Many children living with kidney disease lead isolated lives because of their condition and treatment. Our kid's camp and youth programs have been designed to help young people make friendships with others in their situation and build confidence and self-esteem through peer-networking and development activities," Mr Forbes said.
"Alarmingly, over 30 per cent of youth living with kidney disease lose their kidney transplant within three years of transitioning to adult care, so funding is vital to develop more programs of support so we can reduce this occurrence." Mr Forbes said.
Mr Forbes said the Rally was also a great opportunity to connect with local communities and provide more education around the importance of early detection of kidney disease.
"About 63 people die with kidney related diseases every day, and currently 1.5M Australians are unaware they have early signs of the disease, so, the rally is also a great platform to connect with and educate local communities about kidney disease and the importance of prevention, early detection and support," Mr Forbes said.
