The countdown has started for the 2019 Kidney Health Australia's Kidney Kar rally which raises vital funds for those living with kidney disease.
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More than 40 rally cars are expected to line up in Port Macquarie at 8am on Saturday, August 10 to begin the challenging back roads route to Rockhampton and back to Armidale.
The rally will officially kick off on Friday night with a welcome dinner at the Port Macquarie Racecourse featuring special guest, Supercar champion Chaz Mostert who will be sharing some last-minute driving tips and tricks.
Guests will also be joined by Mia, a 'Kidney Kid' who attends the annual Kidney Kids Camp, which Rally supports, to share her story of living with kidney disease and the impact the Kidney Kids Camp has on her.
The top 15 fundraisers will be announced and awarded not only a trophy but the top starting positions for Saturday.
Kidney Health Australia is a not-for-profit and the peak body for kidney heath in Australia. They aim to help protect five million at risk Australians from developing end stage kidney disease and to save and improve the lives of people already affected by the disease through support services and funding crucial research.
The Rally's nine day route will take in the beautiful and rugged NSW and Queensland countryside, stopping at Walcha, Uralla, Goondiwindi, Dalby, Miles, Moura, Rockhampton, Monto, Gayndah, Jandowae, Toowoomba and finishing in Armidale on August 17.
Residents 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.
Chris Forbes, chief executive officer of Kidney Health Australia, said the Rally was all about 'big kids helping little kids' by raising vital funds for kids living with kidney disease.
"The Rally is only a few weeks away so I urge everyone to get behind the race and help the drivers raise money for kids living with kidney disease," Mr Forbes said.
"Our target this year is $500,000 but we'd love to smash it. The more funds we get, the more we can pour into programs to help children and young people deal with the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of kidney disease.
"We've had fantastic support from the Rally drivers for the past 31 years, raising over $15 million in total, and helping countless kids from all over the country deal with the daily challenges of living with this debilitating disease."
Mr Forbes said with one in three people in Australia at risk of developing chronic kidney disease it is in everyone's best interest to jump on board and support the rally.
"Alarmingly, 65 people die with kidney related diseases every day, and currently 1.5 million Australians are unaware they have early signs of the disease," he said.
"So, the rally is a great platform to connect with and educate local communities about kidney disease and the importance of prevention, early detection and support."
In 2019 Supercars Championship driver Chaz Mostert is taking up the challenge which is expected to inject a new level of interest into the Rally for day one.
'Rally driving's a new experience for me so I'm excited to be kicking the Rally off and seeing how the experienced rally drivers do it, but I'm going to do my best to give them a run for their money," Mr Mostert said.
For more details about the Kidney Kar Rally or to donate to teams taking part please click here.