Sophie Newbold will remember it for the day a wish came true ... oh, and the $65,000 Peugeot.
Since Sophie's 15th birthday two and a-half years ago, all she has wanted to do is be like her big sisters and learn to drive.
Yesterday, the 17-year-old girl from Gibbston valley was given the keys to an RCZ Peugeot and allowed to drive on The Hills golf course driving range, so it was no wonder she was shaking with excitement when she stepped out from behind the wheel.
"I thought I might have banged into something, I was so nervous. I loved it."
Miss Newbold was born with Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous (CFC) Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that typically affects the heart, facial features and skin.
It is estimated there are only 200-300 affected individuals in the world.
When Cure Kids business development director Josie Spillane first met Sophie, the then 11-year-old had five wishes she was determined to fulfil and yesterday she ticked off No3.
"She's wanted to model, we did that. She's wanted to swim, we did that, too, and she wanted to drive, so we are going to get Sophie driving," Ms Spillane said. "If you dream it and want it, it can happen."
Not only was Sophie put behind the wheel of a car worth $64,990, but she was on a golf course that has hosted the New Zealand Golf Open and, in March, the New Zealand PGA.
Peugeot will be donating 1% of the profit from each of the 10 limited edition RCZ cars sold to Cure Kids, while The Hills has selected Cure Kids as its charity of choice for several years.
Sophie's next two goals are to learn how to ski this winter and to get a part-time job - and she said would not mind meeting All Black captain Richie McCaw and flanker Adam Thomson, as well.
Three wishes down, two to go.
