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For Mid-Western resident John Stuart, a passion for historic cars is something he 'got into by accident', but the unintentional hobby is what has resulted in his decade-long participation in Can Cruise.
Can Cruise, established by Cudgegong Cruisers, is a one-day car and motorbike rally where all money raised goes to Can Assist - Mudgee and Districts Branch.
On March 20, the 13th annual Can Cruise will be held at the Mudgee Race Course from and it's something likely to attract motoring enthusiasts from all over the Central West and beyond.
"It's always been a pretty popular event but over the years we get people from all sorts of places, in the past we've had people come from Victoria," John Stuart, Cudgegong Cruisers Inc treasurer, said.
"It's one of those events that people put on their calendar."
While last year's event was cancelled five days out due to COVID-19, the club held a smaller version in November 2020 which saw approximately $7,500 raised for Can Assist.
"All the money stays locally, that's the thing about it. None of it goes off to Sydney or chewed up by administration fees, everyone is a volunteer," Stuart said.
"The Mudgee community is one of the most generous I've ever been involved in, but there is a limit on how much people can give so we're conscious of that.
"But at the end of the day when we get a number, it's really great because you know it's going to go to people in the local community who have been diagnosed with cancer."
As treasurer of the Cudgegong Cruisers for the past eight years, John's reasoning for participating in Can Cruise hits close to home with friends and family members having been touched by cancer.
"Because I have some old cars, I joined the Cudgegong Cruisers and they're the ones who had been doing Can Cruise. As well, we've had some family members and good friends be touched by cancer," he said.
"For that reason we like to get involved and support them because when people are impacted by cancer, your whole world is turned upside down, you don't even know how tomorrow looks."
A surprise gift on his 50th birthday is where it all began for John, and since then, he's extended his collection.
"My kids bought me a 1956 FJ Holden for my 50th birthday because it was the same age as me, it was born in July '56 and I was born in October '56," he said.
"A friend of ours had some other FJ's, he was getting old and I said one day 'did you want to sell then?'. He said 'yes' so now I've got three, and we've also got a EH Holden which is in the final stages of restoration.
"It's sort of one of those things I got into by accident, I've had a lot of fun and met a lot of nice people."
Tickets for Can Cruise can be purchased at 123tix.com.au.
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