September 26, 2012
Two of Australia’s fastest men in a straight line, Victor and Ben Bray, will be in Kingaroy on Saturday to help out a special little local girl.
Chloe Blinco-Kregenbrink, 4, contracted a virus when she was just 18 months old which left her with severe nerve damage.
She was paralysed and spent two weeks in the intensive care unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. Her family were told to expect the worst …
Fortunately Chloe pulled through and recovered movement in most of her body. But she has been left with severe nerve damage in her right leg. It cannot support the weight of her tiny body and she can only walk with the aid of a crocodile walker.
Chloe’s leg is supported by a “KAFO” (knee, ankle, foot orthosis). Every six to eight months, she has to travel to Brisbane to have a new orthotic made to fit her. The casting, fitting and adjustments usually requires at least three trips up and back.
Drag racing star Victor Bray, who has won the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship six times, was moved when he heard about young Chloe’s story.
“I’ve never met her but her mother rang up looking for T-shirts or caps for a fund-raiser. We spoke to her and realised that Chloe is certainly a very special little girl,” Victor said.
“She’s been through a lot. We have a very busy schedule but we decided that Chloe should come first.”
The Brays decided to come to Kingaroy personally to help with the fund-raising.
They’ll be at Sunshine Mitre 10, in Rogers Drive, Kingaroy, from 9:00am-2:00pm on Saturday.
Victor will be accompanied by his son Ben, another star of the Bray Racing team who also been Australian champion in the Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol classes.
The racers will be bringing along with them two of their supercharged 2000hp display cars, a 1957 Chevy and a 2005 Monaro ute, as well as their merchandise truck. Fans will be able to grab photos and autographs.
Chloe’s mum Tracey is overwhelmed with the support she’s been getting for the fundraiser.
As well as Bray Racing, there’ll be Enchanted Faces facepainting, Zarly Anne’s Tone & Tan’s hoopercise, a best-decorated bike competition and jumping castle.
Kingaroy Rotary will be putting on a sausage sizzle.
There’ll also be silent auctions featuring motor racing and footie memorabilia, a multi-draw raffle, plus a raffle for a 117cm TV donated by Harvey Norman. There’s also floral arrangements, jewellery and wine coolers …
The money raised will be used to assist Chloe’s needs now and also be put into a trust fund for her.
In a year, Chloe will be starting school and there’s lots more big bills ahead for the family.
At the moment she’s using a borrowed walker … a new one will cost about $2200. Down the track, a special pushbike could cost $6000.
The family also wants to put rails up through the house and needs to do modifications to the bathroom.
Mum Tracey said Chloe was looking forward to meeting Victor and Ben.
“The family has followed them for years,” Tracey said. “And Chloe’s a car enthusiast already. She loves cars!”
