Aspiring professional race driver Callum Hedge has put his support behind the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand (MDA), with the association announcing him as their latest ambassador.
Though Callum doesn’t suffer from a debilitating neuromuscular condition himself, he has a connection to the association through his two nephews, Noah, and Tommy Fearnley, who have recently been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a progressive muscle wasting condition that affects approximately one out of every 3,600 baby boys born.
“We are very excited to announce Callum Hedge as a new Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand (MDA,” says Trevor Jenkin, MDA’s National Executive Chairperson.
“Callum is in a unique position for someone of his age, having had first-hand experience with the condition with it affecting his two young nephews.
“Callum has great energy and I know he will be really inspiring to our younger, male members, especially since a lot of them are car racing and gaming enthusiasts.”
Living his life in the fast lane, Callum is currently racing in North America in the FR Americas Championship which he leads and is also competing in the Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Championship in Australia, where he currently sits in second place.
Earlier in the year, the 19-year-old from Beachlands in Auckland, finished runner-up in the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania championship which was held at tracks around New Zealand.
Callum’s first initiative will see him part of MDA’s Roll1KforMDA annual appeal. Held at Hampton Downs on Friday 29 September. Callum, along with association members, staff and supporters will take part in a 1km challenge using any kind of wheels around the racetrack.
Winners of the best decorated wheels will go for a ride in a race car with Callum.
Last year, Callum was the top individual fundraiser for the appeal, raising a whopping $5600.
“I’m excited to be working with the team at MDA in the near future. Obviously it’s a condition that affects my close family, and I’m looking forward to raising some more awareness about neuromuscular conditions and funding to ensure the association keeps helping families like my sisters,” said Callum.
The Roll1KforMDA challenge is to simply to use wheels of any kind to roll 1KM between Monday 18th September & Sunday 1st October 2023. You can roll any day, anytime, anywhere! To sign up, visit: https://www.roll1kformda.org.nz/
Comments