Wagga's Jessica Chew and Stockinbingal's Matt Daniher are teaming up for 2021's Kidney Kar Rally and need your assistance.
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The duo will be competing in a 1984 VT Holden Commodore from August 14-19 and are hoping to raise $5000 to support youth living with kidney disease, a condition both believe requires more public awareness.
The rally, which was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will see 52 cars take stage on a challenging six-day journey through the back roads of NSW, from Mudgee to Young.
More than 730 Australians aged between 0-24 are living with end stage kidney disease (kidney failure). 25% of these young Australians are on dialysis and 75% are living with a kidney transplant.
It is a cause close to the heart as both have a close friend who has battled the disease in Sydney's Chelsea Bury, a recipient of a kidney transplant and a fellow rally competitor.
"It is surprising how many people are affected by kidney disease," Jessica said.
"People talk about cancers, strokes, heart attacks, depression. But yeah they don't really talk about [kidney disease].
"Getting to know Chels[ea] and seeing all the stuff she has had to go through first hand, it is good to know you are helping out in some small way."
Matt added that Chelsea has been the recipient of two kidneys after her body did not accept the first.
"She [Chelsea] has had a transplant twice, she got one off her father and that one was rejected by her body," he said.
Matt is lining up for his second rally, this time as the driver after navigating for Tristan Lieschke in 2019.
And as Tristan is now unable to compete in 2021, Jess has moved into the navigation seat for the first time ever.
"I am a little bit nervous as I have never done anything like this before. But quite a few mates are doing it so I can just bounce off them if I have any issues," Jessica said.
"I have met a few of the other 'rallytives', as they like to call themselves and they are a great bunch of people.
"From his [Matt's] navigating skills, probably best I am the navigator though," she laughs.
To donate to Matt and Jessica head to the Kidney Karr Rally site.
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