Smiles for kids in Suzuki race cars

Health challenges were put on hold for a couple of young Wellington Children's Hospital patients as they took up an offer to join the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup race car series prior to their running at a meeting near Feilding recently.

Along with an entourage of wide-eyed parents and caregivers, Thomas Battersby, his brother Josh and mother Liz, joined by Wayne Cherry, his mother Meda and best friend Dylan McGinnity, spent a Friday afternoon with a number of the small race cars at Manfeild.

Organised with the assistance of Maria Quigley from the Wellington Hospitals & Health Foundation and Suzuki New Zealand motorsport manager Darren Stevens, it was a planned distraction from the regular treatments Thomas and Wayne have endured most of their short lives.

Eight-year-old Thomas has been through 20 surgeries, and faces the prospect of plenty more as he grows. 16-year-old Wayne is an Oncology (cancer) patient, who has been enduring treatment for many years.

Stevens said knowing the kids and their families could accept the opportunity to visit the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup cars was his highlight in preparing for the race weekend.

"As much as it’s about the competition and proving our brand we are all human and come from families. So bringing an opportunity many view as exclusive to lives who we rely on being the next generation has great value to us, personally,” said Stevens.

“We worry every day about trivial matters. Compared to what these kids are dealing with; it’s a real reminder as to how lucky many of us are. It's a real home truth and as much a benefit to the rest of us as the entertainment and opportunity we bring to these kids. Their appreciation and look on their faces is priceless. And suddenly these race drivers become their heroes - a ray of light in their little lives.”

While too young to go for a ride in one of the 13 Suzuki Swift Sport Cup cars around the 3.03km Manfeild circuit, Thomas Battersby instead got up and close to the race pedigree versions while his mother and older brother went for a hot-lap.

“Liz absolutely loved having a spin in the Suzuki Swifts!” said Miss Quigley. “Liz and the two boys are total converts - they are planning to go back to Manfeild again later in the year.

“Josh is Thomas' older brother and a Foundation supporter - last November we received a donation from Josh for Wellington Children's Hospital which he had saved from his paper run. It is really important to our Foundation that siblings of sick kids are extended opportunities such as this one. Children often feel overlooked when one of their siblings are sick and this way they have a positive memory to share.

“We are very thankful to Suzuki for organising the hot laps and the Suzuki goodie bags for the kids. It was really great to have such an exciting day out with these families. They have come up against a lot of obstacles in their lives and it is wonderful to be able to give them a day they will never forget; an opportunity for them to let everything go and live in the moment.

Strapped in to the Suzuki Swift of Christchurch’s Hamish Cross, Wayne Cherry and best friend Dylan McGinnity were able to share their experience later while looking over some of the other race cars there for the summer race championship weekend.

“They are amazing friends,” said Dylan’s mum Meda. “We wanted to give one of the hot laps to Dylan as it has been a hard few years for both boys and he has been such an incredible support to Wayne and our family.

“He has been with Wayne through thick and thin and never treated him any differently. He has been absolutely fantastic.”

Joining his Wanganui head-office colleague, Gary Collins, Sales Manager for Suzuki New Zealand said Dylan’s backing of his good friend was significant: “To have a kid support a mate like that at that age, gets a lot of respect from me, as he's been there all the way through. Obviously they have all been through tough times, more than they'd remember.

“While he was sitting in one of the other cars the driver started it up - his eyes just lit up like he'd won a million dollars in lotto.”

Both Wayne and Thomas are patients of Wellington Children's Hospital, which celebrates its 100th birthday this March.

“Children come here for treatment from as far north as Hawke’s Bay, across to New Plymouth and south to Nelson/Marlborough. Wellington Hospitals & Health Foundation is the official charity for Wellington Children's Hospital,” added Miss Quigley.

The sixth and final round for the 2011/2012 Suzuki Swift Sport Cup series will be contested near Taupo 9-11 March.