A Dubbo dad is calling for community support, as he prepares to drive from Gympie to Nowra in support of the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS).
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David Ward, of Dubbo, and long-time friend Derek Blomfield, of Quirindi, will compete in the annual KidzFix Rally in September as Team Two Dads, with all funds raised going to NETS, a service which transports critically ill newborns and children, including premature babies, to the few intensive care units (ICU) in NSW and the Australian Capital Territory capable of treating them.
It's a cause close to the Two Dads' hearts.
Mr Ward's son Lucas, now six, was born 11-and-a-half weeks prematurely at Dubbo Base Hospital, while Mr Blomfield's 12-year-old son Patrick was born at 27 weeks gestation at Tamworth Base Hospital.
Both babies would have died if it weren't for NETS transporting them to hospitals in Sydney where they could get the specialist treatment they needed.
"Both of us have had an affinity with NETS," Mr Ward said.
Mr Ward said the KidzFix Rally, which was raising money for a NETS ambulance fit-out at Nowra, was the perfect opportunity to give back.
"We've always been trying to figure out how and when we can actually get into a position to support them and give something back to what's saved our boys lives," he said.
"The big thing about the KidzFix Rally was that it was affordable."
It cost $500 to enter the team and each team must raise a minimum of $4000, but Team Two Dads has set themselves a target of $30,000.
"And if we can raise a lot more, we might be a little bit further along the line of a very needed ambulance here in Dubbo as well one day," he said.
But the Two Dads need community support to reach their $30,000 target.
They have secured a 23-year-old Subaru Brumby Ute, named Errol, for the rally, which needs a bit of work "to qualify for the specs of the rally".
"We're wanting any businesses to support us. Any type of sponsorship would be great but also there's a fair bit of white panel space left on Errol for sponsorships stickers."
"The more people contribute, the better it is, so if people want to put their sticker on our car there's plenty of space."
The rally starts from Gympie on September 11 and will take in Tamworth and Mudgee, before finishing up at Nowra on September 18.
For more information, or to donate, contact the Two Dads by emailing david.ward@slmpartners.com.au or visiting www.facebook.com/ twodadskidzfixrally.
