There’s a very serious side to the October 18-21 Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast, where one of the official charities CanTeen is in the business of providing a more wholesome and fulfilling life for young people whose lives have been affected by cancer.

A featured driver involved in the V8 Supercar Challenge at this year’s Lexmark Indy 300 is Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom who has a long association with CanTeen.

During the formative years of Winterbottom’s rise in Australia’s number one touring car category, he’s used his profile to help highlight the remarkable work the organisation does to bring young people with similar experiences together, so they don’t feel so alone during their cancer journey.

Today Winterbottom was on the Gold Coast where there were cheery faces aplenty as the pilot of the #5 Orrcon/FPR Falcon treated CanTeen’s young people to a thrill ride on the Orrcon Hyper Stimulator.

“It’s great that an event as big and successful as Indy gets right behind the fundraising push of CanTeen,” said Winterbottom.

“I’ve seen first hand over the past couple of years what a difference the CanTeen programs make.

“I’m always happy to support anyone that has as a major priority to make someone else’s life a little more enjoyable.

“Sometimes we all take things for granted but when you get the chance to mix with these young people and see their fighting spirit it really is an uplifting experience.”

During a long term relationship with the Lexmark Indy 300, CanTeen has been able to raise over $50,000 which has assisted with future short and long term programs.

The official Australian organisation for young people living with cancer will coordinate their annual National Bandanna Day on Friday October 26 and the Lexmark Indy 300 provides the perfect opportunity for major pre-sales and to optimise awareness of CanTeen and its services.

“CanTeen and Surf Life Saving Queensland are major beneficiaries from our event and we are again pleased that the Lexmark Indy 300 is able to give something back to the community,” said Lexmark Indy 300 Marketing Manager Greg Price.

“October is a special time on the Gold Coast as the Champ Cars and V8 Supercars hit the streets for the Lexmark Indy 300, and it will also be a special time for our two official event charities.”

CanTeen is a charity renowned for its high spirit and dedicated volunteers while similarly Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is Queensland’s peak beach safety and rescue authority, and is one of the largest volunteer based community service organisations in Australia.

Both charities have had a long involvement with the Lexmark Indy 300 and the event has become an important part of their annual promotional activities.

The event provides a ‘vehicle’ for CanTeen and Surf Life Saving Queensland to raise much needed funds for future programs.

They’ll do this by having a marquee at the event, being involved with Banana Boat Students Day, being a part of media opportunities, and delivering a guest speech and selling raffle tickets at the WPS Black and Silver Indy Luncheon at Palazzo Versace.

CanTeen Marketing Communications Manager Jodie Gacitua sees the Lexmark Indy 300 partnership as being extremely important to the charity.

“It’s great with the timing of the Lexmark Indy 300 one week out from National Bandanna Day that Queenslanders will be made well aware of what CanTeen is all about,” said Gacitua.

“Once again we’ll be looking to sell one million bandannas nationally, to assist in the funding of new programs and camps for young people living with cancer.”

All the POWER of the Lexmark Indy 300 will be on show from October 18-21.

Some of the world’s best motorsport hits the streets of Surfers Paradise as the centerpiece of a four day and night carnival of glitz and glamour.

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