Quiz night fund-raiser for Brooke and Robbie Close

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

An event to support popular harness racing couple Brooke and Robbie Close is being organised for Christchurch later this month.

Brooke needs a kidney transplant and husband Robbie will be her donor, with the operation set down for November.

To help them out a "Keeping Them Close" quiz night will be held at Spectators Bar, Addington Raceway on Friday, October 30.

"A massive thank you goes to Kim (Butt), Matt (Markham) and Rachel (Deegan) for organising this," say the Closes.

"We are so grateful."  

Teams of up to four will pay $100 with money also raised through raffles, prizes and auctions on the night.

Half of the proceeds will go to the Christchurch Kidney Society with the rest helping out the couple financially as they recover from the surgery.

"We don't want this to be all about us," says Robbie, "we also want to raise awareness around kidney disease and to help others who suffer from it."

The event has already seen an outpouring of support from the harness racing community.

"We've heard there is going to be a crowd of at least 200 so that's some response," says Robbie.

Brooke Close was diagnosed in December last year and has been off work since July. She has recently been on dialysis for five hours a day, three days a week.

Specialists advised them that a transplant was the only viable option and after extensive testing Robbie was then found to be a match.

He had no hesitation to get involved.

"Its what you do for the people you love," he said.

Next month the pair will undergo their operations at Christchurch Hospital.

"We've been told it will be a three to four hour operation," says Robbie.

It will be a significant adjustment for both of them.

"I'll be off work for six weeks but we've been told the body can operate fine with one kidney," says Robbie, who's had over 650 winners over the past 15 or years ago.

"We are confident both of us will be ok."

What : Keeping Them Close Quiz Night
When : Friday 30 October - Doors 5pm, quiz starts 6.30pm
Where : Spectators Bar, Addington Raceway
Cost : $100 per team, teams of up to four

Organisers are still after prizes and auction items and anyone who can help can contact organisers Kimberly Butt ([email protected]) or Matt Markham ([email protected]) or Addington Raceway Sponsorship Manager Rachel Deegan on 021 734 936.