Silverstone Festival will play host to an unlikely battle between a former dialysis nurse and a pit crew this year in a challenge of speed and efficiency.

The two sides will showcase the technical skill and efficiency needed to do their jobs in a live demonstration hosted by official charity partner Kidney Research UK.

John Torode, a retired nurse from Cambridgeshire who worked on the dialysis unit at Addenbrookes Hospital, will see if he can set up a dialysis machine in record time to beat a professional pit crew changing the tyres.

The Hunts Post: Kidney Research UK will showcase dialysis on stage at this year’s festival.Kidney Research UK will showcase dialysis on stage at this year’s festival. (Image: Kidney Research UK)

Taking place on Sunday, August 27, on the My Motor World Stage, John will go head-to-head with a pit crew from Andrew Jordan Racing.

The pit crew will change all four wheels on the car, meanwhile, John will have his work cut out as he hooks a real dialysis machine up to a dummy arm in record time.

The event will be hosted by the presenter of the BBC's Bargain Hunt, Danny Sebastian.

The TV personality will be joined by kidney patients and clinicians who will give their own unique perspectives on the condition and the challenges they face in combatting the disease.

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The Hunts Post: Dialysis patients in hospital will often need treatment three times a week for up to four hours at a time.Dialysis patients in hospital will often need treatment three times a week for up to four hours at a time. (Image: Kidney Research UK)

John said: "Activities like these are just so much fun but also hold a really important lesson for everyone watching.

"People won't necessarily know about how complicated and important it is to set up a dialysis machine properly, and I think the realities will shock people.

"The fact is that people simply don't know enough about kidney disease unless it affects them or someone they know.

The Hunts Post: The charity believes that the Festival will be the perfect setting to display the advancements needed for dialysis patients.The charity believes that the Festival will be the perfect setting to display the advancements needed for dialysis patients. (Image: Silverstone Festival)

When patients reach kidney failure, they require regular dialysis treatment to keep them alive, something that around 30,000 people in the UK currently depend on.

The challenge will help highlight the many technical advances that have occurred within the world of motorsport and take inspiration forward into the world of kidney research. 

John added: "I really hope this challenge will make people think about kidney disease and the challenges that face patients when they go on dialysis." 

For more information on the Silverstone Festival tickets and events, visit: www.silverstone.co.uk/events/silverstone-festival.

To learn more about Kidney Research UK and kidney disease, visit: www.kidneyresearchuk.org.