It’s the annual family fun day where kids can clamber, ride and get up close to antique vehicles and modern trucks but this year, the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Show is taking on a deeper purpose.

Organisers are throwing their support behind well-known local truckie, Jason Saunders, who urgently needs a kidney transplant.

“I had a medical test when I was about 25 years old and they found I only had one working kidney,” explained the Omokoroa resident.

“Back then, they just said if I lived healthy, I should be alright but it hasn’t worked out that way. As the disease got worse, there were things I couldn’t eat or do and then my kidney was functioning at about 10% for a couple of years.”

Health issues

It was about six months ago when the 54-year-old’s health took a turn for the worse, leaving him unable to sleep. He was told his kidney was failing and is now on dialysis for 12 hours every day, making work impossible.

“My sister was compatible as a donor but had a heart scare a few years ago, ruling her out. I got on the transplant list, which is actually quite hard to do, so now I’m waiting for a donor,” said Saunders.

“It would be unreal if someone stepped forward to donate a kidney.”

The Tauranga Vintage Machinery Show on March 8 coincides with Kidney Awareness Month, so this year’s proceeds will go towards helping Saunders with medical costs.

Tauranga Vintage Machinery Show organiser Terry Hobart (left) and truckie Jason Saunders. Photo/Debbie Griffiths

“The event has gone from just the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club plus three trucks to give rides around the track at Tauranga Racecourse, to what’s shaping up to a large truck day event as well,” said organiser and Ford tractor collector, Terry Hobart.

“I’ve been swamped with truckies and trucking firms all wanting to join in to support our effort to raise awareness of live kidney donations to people who are waiting and to make the point that you don’t have to be a relative to donate.”

A life-long truckie

Saunders has been driving trucks since he got his licence at 15, most recently working for Taylor Bros.

“Jason’s very popular in trucking circles, and everyone’s happy to support him,” said Hobart.

“The racecourse venue is a safe place for kids to hop in the cab of a truck for a ride and to even see the inside of a cattle truck.”

The day will also include vintage machinery, sledge rides, hay making and lolly scrambles.

Te Puna-based engineer and club member Larry Williams will be transporting some of his own vehicles to the show.

Larry Williams with a vintage hay baler. Photo/Debbie Griffiths

“My dad was one of the founding members of the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club in 1984,” said Williams, who shares his father’s passion for restoring old engines.

“Dad was bringing tractors home in his 20s.

“People thought ... they should be pushed over a bank and scrapped. I’ve inherited a collection that dad gathered over his lifetime.

Hobart said it was “great to see the kids go from tractor to tractor, climbing on them and sitting inside and the adults love to reminisce about vehicles they learned to drive in or that their parents or grandparents might have had”..

“We’re expecting thousands of people to join in the fun on the day.”

A 1916 Mogul 8-16 harvester – one of only four in New Zealand - from Larry Williams’ father’s collection. Photo/Debbie Griffiths

For more information on donating a kidney, www.kidneysociety.org.nz

Tauranga Vintage Machinery Show is at Tauranga Racecourse 10am – 4pm on Saturday, March 8. Adults $10, kids are free