New charity partnership for Sydney NRMA 500

V8 Supercars has officially announced its new charity partnership with The Leukaemia Foundation to mark the two week countdown until the start of the Sydney NRMA 500.

The Leukaemia Foundation is Australia's only non-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of those with blood cancer and related blood disorders. The organisation funds blood cancer research and provides services to support people with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma at no cost.

Volunteers from The Leukaemia Foundation will be onsite at the thrilling Sydney NRMA 500 to collect donations and sell merchandise to event goers, with all proceeds going straight back to The Leukaemia Foundation.

Attendees to the grand final event will also be in with the chance of winning a grid walk, amongst other prizes, through a draw. A Christmas raffle will be held after the Championship finale to raise further funds.

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said it was a worthy cause to support.

"The Leukaemia Foundation does a fantastic job and it is great that we are able to support their fundraising efforts at the Sydney NRMA 500," said Warburton.

"One of The Leukaemia Foundation's many services is the patient transport vehicle. It is a great support for those undergoing treatment and with NRMA we are pleased to have The Leukaemia Foundation onsite and encourage event goers to give generously to the cause."

General Manager of The Leukaemia Foundation Christin McMillian said, "Currently over 60,000 Australians are living with a blood related cancer and only half of all adults survive more than five years after they've been diagnosed with Leukaemia. Statistics show that every two hours someone will lose their life to blood cancer.

"With such high levels of blood cancer prevalent in Australia, we're beyond thrilled to have the support of V8 Supercars highlighting this serious illness and the plight that so many Australians face."

The partnership with The Leukaemia Foundation will extend until the end of December 2014. People interested in donating to The Leukaemia Foundation can do so across the Sydney NRMA 500 event weekend (December 5-7) via designated bucket collectors.

Fans that will not be able to attend the Sydney NRMA 500 and want to make a difference can contribute to this worthy cause at http://www.leukaemia.org.au.