Chartered surveyors raise over £30k in Top Gear style bangers and cash fundraiser.
A Loughborough-based land improvement and property consultancy has raised £30,000 for three noble causes. The campaign was created to celebrate the firm's 30th anniversary.
Mather Jamie coordinated a Top Gear style challenge to raise funds for LOROS, One Roof Leicester, and Rainbows.
Four teams were challenged to purchase a £500 'banger' and drive to East Anglia.
The first plan was to head to the Norfolk coast with a short term visit in Kings Lynn, but these plans were scuppered by the petroleum emergency in October 2021. An elective test including Leicester milestones was organised. This gave drivers the choice to limp their bangers home if they broke down.
Commenting on the event, Rob Cole, Mather Jamie Managing Director said: “When we set out to raise £30,000 [for the charities], we also hoped that the events we held would create opportunities for team members to lift the mood caused by covid and have some fun whilst doing something to help those in need.
"We are delighted that our combined efforts have smashed our target and hope that by the time we finally present the cheque we will be able to exceed our target by at least another £10,000.”
The alternative event finally happened in late December, pushing the firm’s fundraising total to £36k – 120% over the original target.
Four teams took part, each driving a 'banger of choice'. Gary Kirk and Gary Owens chose a 1997 Ford Fiesta. Tim Jones a 2003 Honda Civic. A 58 plate Nissan Micra was the vehicle of choice for Rob Cole and his son, Henry. Alex Reid and Sam Woodhouse went more upmarket with a BMW tourer.
All bangers and passengers started at 8am from Farm Town. Each team was required to visit as many of the defined touristy and historical locations as they could within the timeframe.
All had to reconvene no later than 3.15pm at Prestwold Aerodrome ready for a quarter-mile drag race after sourcing and buying an antique for £50, which will later be auctioned off for charity.
Each location that the teams had to visit in no particular order had a points value, with a bonus 10 points awarded to any team that also reached the Triumph Factory in Hinckley.
Other sites included; Belvoir Castle, Melton Mowbray, where each team had to take a photo with a pork pie, Donington Park Race Circuit, Foxton Locks, and Twycross Zoo.
To deter speeding and to penalise poor driving and maintenance, penalty points were incurred for any breakdowns and car repairs.
The Honda Civic proved to be the victory vehicle driven by Tim Jones who managed to arrive at all six locations in first place.
Written by Levitha Biji
Levitha is a broadcast journalism graduate, currently studying MA International Media and Communication Studies at the University of Nottingham. Having lived in three countries and being fluent in three languages, she's passionate about global journalism. She's recently finished an internship with Niche Magazine and also runs her own blog, Levitha Mariam.
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