Australian Speedway rider Darcy Ward suffered a devastating spinal injury whilst competing in Poland in August 2015 which instantly ended his amazing international career and left him paralysed from the waist down.
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At the time of Darcy's injury, Cowra's Brady Kurtz was living with Darcy at Poole in the UK looking forward to competing alongside Darcy in the Poole Pirates Elite League during 2016.
Darcy's accident had a devastating effect on all the Australian riders in the UK and in Australia.
Long time friend of Darcy's, Todd Kurtz desperately wanted to help Darcy in the biggest battle of his life, so Todd contacted local Cowra friend, Matt Ford of the The Signage Company to design a sticker - "Ride With Us Darcy" - so Darcy could finish the season riding with the rest of the Aussie riders.
Through Todd's father Steve, President of the Cowra Motorcycle Racing Club the stickers were distributed throughout Australia to be sold with all proceeds going to Darcy's rehabilitation.
Since August last year, a massive $10,200 was raised by the Cowra Club.
Todd also organised stickers to be sold in the UK and other countries where Darcy rode with all proceeds going to Darcy.
Many riders, ex-riders, fans, Cowra MRC members and devoted supporters all chipped in to sell the stickers all over Australia, a testimony of Darcy's popularity in Australia and Worldwide.
"I am very proud of our club, what an amazing effort by Cowra Motorcycle Racing Club to raise such an outstanding amount," Steve Kurtz said.
"Thanks needs to go to a lot of people who helped sell the stickers throughout Australia."
Steve would like to thank: Todd and Matt Ford (The Signage Company, Cowra) who instigated the fundraiser and those who sold stickers, Cowra MRC members, Ivor Harm (Brisbane Roof Tiles), Scott Brown (GM Australia) who also sold raffle tickets in a framed and signed Poole Pirates Shirt he donated, Pete and Ann Brown (Choices Bathurst), Anji Parker (Gillman Speedway), Kozza and Ashley Smith, Margaret Yule (Ash's Speedway Museum, Bathurst), Paul and Jo Slade (Tamworth Speedway), Maree Evans (Kurri Kurri Speedway), Craig Boyce, Michelle Lawler (Central Coast Junior Speedway) and Jane Hurst.
Darcy Ward Benefit Meeting - Kurtz Brothers finish first and second
A benefit meeting "D-Dub #43 Cup" (Darcy Ward Benefit Meeting) was held at Darcy's Australian home track, Mick Doohan Raceway in Northgate near Brisbane last Saturday night.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting in front of a huge crowd, Cowra Motorcycle Racing Club President Steve Kurtz, along with the Cowra brothers Todd and Brady Kurtz and Ben and Zach Cook presented Darcy Ward with a cheque for $10,200 raised by the Club to assist in his rehabilitation.
Darcy was overwhelmed with the support from a small country town and thanked the Club for their generosity.
All the top Aussie riders turned out for a great night's racing in the D-Dub Cup with two groups of 16 riders.
The top eight from each group progressed to the four semi finals.
Cowra MRC's brothers Todd and Brady Kurtz and Ben and Zach Cook competed in the meeting.
Zach fell in his second race in a spectacular crash which saw his bike burst into flames leaving it in no condition to continue in the meeting.
Zach's brother Ben Cook scored a creditable seven points narrowly missing out on a semi final spot.
Both Todd and Brady Kurtz progressed to the semi finals with the first placegetter of each semi final moving into the final.
Todd and Brady then met in the final alongside Rohan Tungate (NSW) and Tyson Nelson (Qld) as the top four riders competed for the inaugural "D-Dub #43 Cup" honours.
Todd, who was riding in his first meeting since his injury in the UK early in September 2015 was determined to make his mate Darcy smile and didn't disappoint as he shot to the lead with Rohan Tungate on his tale.
Brady was in third position fighting for second and on the third lap Brady shot under Rohan Tungate to take up the chase on his brother Todd.
Todd kept his cool and a good line to take the chequered flag ahead of Brady, then Rohan Tungate and Tyson Nelson falling before the last lap.
Todd stated it was the best feeling to see Darcy smile and an honour to win the first ever D-Dup #43 Cup.
The Cowra boys and all other riders donated their prizemoney back to Darcy and also purchased their race jackets with the money also going to Darcy.
Darcy is continuing his rehabilitation at "Making Strides" at the Gold Coast.