Tuesday, August 25, 2009

6 weeks tomorrow and counting down....

Hi Team,

Well tomorrow marks the '6 weeks to go' point before I fly out of Rotorua to meet Sabrina and her Dad Rob, and Logan and his Mum Paula and begin our adventure to THE v8 mecca - Bathurst. Sabrina is eleven and is a cancer survivor, and Logan is ten and has cystic fibrosis.

The Project KPH does Bathurst '09 trip marks a massive step for the Project and one which hasn't been easy to achieve in this economic climate. But, we are a very hard working team and it looks as though we will cover our costs with the donations we've received combined with the fundraising we've all worked hard at.

The two children are actively engaged in the fundraising process and are enjoying the interaction with their communities support. Timaru in particular have really come out to bat for their boy Logan to make sure he has this V8 trip of a lifetime.

And while Logan is recovering from surgery, nothing can dampen his excitement and anticipation of the adventure ahead.

Alesha and I have been giving it everything at this end; delivering flyers and flyers and more flyers and even having to order more from our awesome printer sponsor Orange Dog - you can view their website here http://orangedog.co.nz Jason and his fantastic team are so obliging and excellent to deal with.

There has been a lot of work done and I am very grateful and lucky to have Alesha with her awesome initiative and wide skill base. Alesha works completely voluntarily and without complaint or comment - she gets stuck in and gets the job done - all with a big smile.

BUT we have a wee way to go yet, and counting chickens before they're hatched is not generally a philosophy I am fond of. We have two events coming up as fundraisers, the first in two weeks. You can check them out here http://www.projectkph.co.nz/fundraisers.html .

Our many thanks goes out to Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo District Council and Johnny McIntyre for making the Hot Laps day at Taupo in two weeks a possibility and the Sudima Hotel Rotorua and Cheryl Freeman for making the Show night in Rotorua on the 19th September a possibility for us. All services have been gifted in kind and we are very grateful for their generosity.

WOW, so six weeks!

Meantime its heads down and bums up working as hard as we can to make this the ultimate rev head trip of a lifetime for these two very special kids and their parent each.

GAME ON!!!

Leah xo

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Media Release

For immediate release

5th August 2009

Johnny McIntyre and his NZV8 to rev it up at Taupo to raise money for Project KPH

One of New Zealand's top NZV8 drivers will rev it up in his race prepped FORD at Taupo Motorsport Park on 8th September to raise funds for Project KPH.
Johnny McIntyre or ‘Mac Attack’ is a successful former two time back to back NZV8 Championship winner, who will also race for Stone Brothers Racing at Bathurst in October in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Johnny has donated three hot laps to Project KPH to sell, as well as a portion of any hot laps sold over and above this. The charity event will raise money to send two special needs children to the V8 Mecca - Bathurst in Australia in October.
The hot laps are in hot demand, says Project KPH founder Leah Evans.

“We haven’t even got the flyers yet and we have six sold already!” says Leah.

The hot lap day was made possible by Johnny McIntyre, Taupo Motorsport Park and the Taupo District Council.

“It’s excellent that our local communities are really getting in behind the Project’s objectives. I’m really proud of that. And to bring something like this as close to home as it gets, is just fantastic. The fact that Johnny is so actively involved in helping us get to Bathurst and will then host the kids in the SBR pits is just awesome. I’m very grateful for their generosity”

“And I know there will be some very happy Dad’s on Father’s Day when they are told about their pending gift!”

Money raised from the hot laps will go towards the Bathurst trip, where the two special needs children will go behind the scenes, meeting drivers, visiting pit areas and experiencing the racing up close and personal. The trip will include a visit with Kiwi racing legend Greg Murphy and Johnny McIntyre himself, who will drive for Stone Brothers Racing for the event.

Project KPH announced in May that two special needs children had been selected from more than 60 Project KPH kids nationwide to take the trip, and some major fundraising activities have been underway ever since.

The project received a major boost with The MAD Butcher announcing they had donated $5000 to the trip, while Air New Zealand have gifted flights.

Sabrina Lawson (11) is a cancer survivor and Logan Fynn (10) suffers from cystic fibrosis. The children are both from Canterbury. Project KPH helps kids from all over New Zealand, including Rotorua kids who were hosted at the A1GP event in January 2008, and the Hamilton 400 in April this year.

Project KPH was established by Rotorua woman Leah Evans in October 2007, taking two “rev heads” with Cerebral Palsy to Pukekohe for Round One of the NZV8 championship competition. Since then, 63 children have participated in events across New Zealand.

Hot laps are $300 a head and can be purchased by contacting Leah Evans on 07 3484 048 or leah@projectkph.com. The hot lap day will be limited to 30 people and will include two flying laps of the Taupo Motorsport Park.

The hot lap day is being held on:

Tuesday, 8th September 2009 Taupo Motorsport Park, Broadlands Road