Teenage motorsport fan Nicholas Trewern was treated to a money-can’t-buy experience when he met V8 Supercar racing star Craig Lowndes last month thanks to a partnership between Caltex and Make-A-Wish Australia.
Seventeen-year-old Nicholas, who has cystic fibrosis, jumped at the opportunity to meet the King of the Mountain and newly announced driver of TeamVortex at the recent V8 Supercar Championship Race on the Gold Coast.
Caltex and children’s charity Make-A-Wish have teamed up to launch the Star Mart Wish Drive, an annual initiative raising funds to help make vital wishes come true, helping to build resilience for seriously ill children such as Nicholas.
More than 600 Star Mart service stations across Australia will again be the engine room of the month-long fundraising effort as customers are encouraged to dig deep for the worthy cause.
The campaign will lead into the annual Star Mart Wish Drive Day on Friday, December 4, when local stores will host a range of activities including old-fashioned driveway service, car washing and sausage sizzles.
Caltex Executive General Manager Commercial Bruce Rosengarten said the fuel and convenience retailer was determined to grant more wishes this year by beating last year’s effort of raising $420,000.
“From Tamworth in NSW to Mosman Park in WA, we serve more than three million customers a week across our network of sites around Australia,” Mr Rosengarten said.
“We’re well positioned to help raise national awareness and much-needed funds for Make-A-Wish to ensure this important charity can continuing giving hope, strength and joy to hundreds of children around Australia with life-threatening medical conditions.”
Make-A-Wish CEO Gerard Menses said he was thrilled to have the support of Caltex again in 2015.
“Caltex has been a fantastic supporter of Make-A-Wish over the past three years, with funds raised helping us to grant the wishes of children and teenagers with life-threatening illnesses,” Mr Menses said.
“Every customer who contributes during the Wish Drive will help us bring hope, strength and joy to very sick kids, through the healing power of a wish.”
Customers can help raise funds for this important cause by purchasing selected convenience products in-store, making a donation during the campaign or participating in the many activities set to occur on Star Mart Wish Drive Day. The Star Mart Wish Drive is now live until December 8.
