Sutherland trio to set off on 'madcap' fundraiser across Europe
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Three friends from Sutherland are setting off on an exciting European adventure on Sunday.
Donald McNeil, Tony Gill and Rob Hope are taking part in the Veterans Banger Rally 2023 which will see them drive a 15-year-old black Seat Tornado more than 2,500 miles across France and Spain, with their end destination Gibraltar.
The intrepid trio are hoping to raise at least £5,000 for the Blind Veterans UK.
Up to 100 cars are taking part in the event – which organisers call ‘madcap’ – but they are the only entrants from the Highlands. At least one team member must be a veteran or serving in the forces.
Mr McNeil (72) served in the Royal Artillery and Queen’s Own Highlanders before working in distilleries. He is vice-chairman of the Creich and Kincardine branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
Mr Hope, who is in his eighties and lives in Bonar Bridge, is also ex-Royal Artillery. He does a lot of work for charity and the Seat Tornado is his car, but the three will take turns driving. Vehicles entered must be worth no more than £999.
Brora resident Tony Gill is the “junior” of the three. He has never been in the armed forces, but is involved with charitable work through the Rotary Club of East Sutherland.
Mr McNeil said they had chosen to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK because they felt it was a charity that did not have a high profile and therefore did not attract as much funding as, for example, Help for Heroes.
“We feel the blind veterans really get missed out. We just feel that it is one of these charities that need some help.” he said. “In my work for the legion I visit a lot of people who require treatment for their eyesight.”
The friends will be setting out from Dornoch at around 6am on Sunday morning and will join the rally in Dover for a mass crossing to Calais. Over the following week they will travel through France and Spain, with the aim of reaching Gibraltar by Sunday, October 1.
Drivers can take their own routes, but the rally meets up each evening in designated cities. Drivers have been asked to take pictures along the way and fun prizes will be awarded.
“We are looking forward to it,” said Mr McNeil.
Sponsor forms have been put in various local outlets and the men manned a stall on Thursday outside Dornoch Cathedral and displayed the Seat Tornado to raise awareness of the adventure and drum up sponsorship. To make a donation, email: donaldmcneil849@gmail.com
