Shannons Gets Motoring Enthusiasts to Dig Deep for a Good Cause

SYDNEY – December 16, 2010: Racing legend and three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jack Brabham took centre stage at the 2010 Shannons Annual Christmas Event and encouraged more than 500 motoring enthusiasts and collectors to dig deep for two of his favourite charities – Kidney Health Australia and the Dialysis Escape Line.

The event was attended by representatives from a broad range of car clubs and associations including, Volkswagen, Ford Coupe, Rolls Royce, Nissan, Falcon GT and Holden FE – FC clubs and the Victorian Hot Rod Association to name a few.

Raising $17,000 on the night from an action-packed auction of F1 Grand Prix trips, Hot Laps with Jim Richards and special collectors’ items signed by Sir Jack, the legend of Formula One Racing could not have been happier. “These two causes are very special to me. It was great to come along tonight to help get the bidding going and take some money from my fellow motoring enthusiasts – all in the name of a good cause,” said Sir Jack.

Sir Jack was interviewed on stage by the evening’s MC Glenn Ridge and shared some of the highlights of his career including the time he had to push his car across the finish line to ensure he collected the much-needed points to win his third and last World Championship in 1966.

However, Sir Jack still recounts one of his most memorable career highlights as his meeting of Princess Grace of Monaco following his first Grand prix victory in 1959. “To this day I remember her as being a very striking and beautiful woman - meeting her was certainly a great moment for me,” said Sir Jack.

CEO of Dialysis Escape Line, Nancy Douglas-Irving OAM was grateful that so many motoring enthusiasts opened their hearts and wallets on the night. “Our voluntary organisation provides much needed support and relief to dialysis patients in many parts of Australia, but we rely heavily on fundraising activities and support from organisations to be able to do this” said Ms Douglas-Irving OAM.

“We are truly grateful to both Shannons and Sir Jack for supporting us this year and the money raised from the auction will make life just that much easier for our volunteers to provide temporary dialysis treatment to our members.”

Shannons would like to again thank everyone who came along on the night and contributed so much for two great causes.

“I’m sure the highlight of the evening for all of us was listening to and meeting Sir Jack, but it’s great that such worthy causes such as the Dialysis Escape Line and Kidney Health Australia came away with some much needed money. It was our very great pleasure to be able to help out,” said Shannons Executive Manager, Julian Benton.