The annual fundraiser for seriously ill children and their families across NSW will depart Andrews Park at 8am on Sunday August 19, after breakfast.

Participants will travel over 2,600 kms on this year’s trek, along with 21 cars and 11 official cars.

The Great Northern Trek is heading to Tamworth, Tenterfield, Toowoomba (lay day) Moree, Dubbo and then finally finishing their journey in Goulburn on the August 25. Trek4Kidz is an annual week-long event ,travelling through regional NSW and  Qld, whilst raising much needed funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Trek4kidz media officer Michelle McDonald said they look forward to the event every eyar.

“We love getting out into the community, meeting new families who share in our positivity and the trek is a great way to generate community spirit,” she said.

“As a result of the current economic climate, fundraising is becoming increasingly challenging.  Sadly, the numbers of sick kids will not decline, so that’s why we are proud to support Starlight.

“We never tire of visiting the local communities and contributing to this worthwhile cause – the generosity of people is pretty amazing,” she said.

The tour will fundraise for Starlight, who aim to brightens the lives of seriously ill children and their families, through hospital services such as Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room.

While health professionals focus on treating illness, Captain Starlight turns a sick child’s pain, fear and stress into joy, fun and laughter. Captain Starlight’s work within Starlight Express Rooms, which provide a treatment-free respite for sick kids and their families in all major children’s hospitals nationally.

“We keep coming back to support Starlight because we’ve experienced firsthand the impact Starlight has on sick kids and their families; it makes the trek worthwhile,” added Mrs McDonald.

 “We are thankful; for the contribution of the Lions Clubs in all the towns we visit; their ongoing support is invaluable to us.”

Funds raised by this year’s Trek will help Starlight to support 4,500 seriously ill children and their families in children’s hospitals across NSW including, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

Since the Trek began two decades ago, the tour has raised nearly $2 million for Starlight, which has given 25,500 seriously ill children and their families access to the Captain Starlight and Starlight Express Room programs across the state.

Starlight receives no government funding and relies entirely on the community for its support.

Starlight CEO Louise Baxter said that every minute of every day a child is admitted to hospital in Australia.

“Starlight is there to help them play, laugh and simply be kids again. We wouldn’t be able to do this without community events like Trek4kidz, and for their ongoing support we cannot thank them enough,” she said.

To find out more details about the 2018 Trek, or to make a donation, please visit www.trek4kidz.com

And if you want to see some great cars, come along to Andrews Park in Wauchope on Sunday August 19 before 8am.