A GROUP of classic car enthusiasts from the Basingstoke and Andover area are taking part in a classic car rally to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The rally attracts teams from all over the world, with entrants coming from as far as America and Germany.

However, many of the competitors live locally - of the 41 teams taking part in the final Cape to Cape Grand Classic Car rally this April, nine of them are based in Hampshire.

Those nine teams gathered for a barbecue and get-together last week, organised and hosted by Whitchurch resident Derek Clark.

Derek is participating in the rally in a 1961 Jaguar 3.4. He said: “It’s a lovely event. It’s lots of fun, but it’s not a holiday!”

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When asked about the rally's goal to raise £1 million, Derek continued: “I think that we’d all be very pleased (if the goal was reached), but I think one way or another it is going to fetch £1 million.

“I’m sure that will happen.”

Derek is not the only local participating in the rally this year.

Overton residents Richard Gibbons and Stafford Trendall are also entering the event. Richard in a 1970 Austin Pick-up, while Stafford is navigating for Michael Resteghini, who is driving a 1974 Dolomite Sprint.

The group hopes to help Cape to Cape founder Dennis Greenslade reach £1million

Stafford said: “It goes back to the fact that it’s Macmillan, it’s all about cancer support.

“My mum died of cancer many years ago, Mick’s wife, she died of cancer; we think it’s such a worthy cause, that it’s worth giving up two weeks of your life.

“It’s not cheap to enter but everyone pays there way. Every penny goes to Macmillan.”

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When asked how he would feel if the rally reached its £1million goal, Richard said: “There would nearly be tears in my eyes.

“I think, as with everybody else, we feel that it would be a fantastic achievement for Dennis Greenslade - a job well done.”

Rally founder Dennis, from Cornwall, lost his wife, Tricia, to cancer of the oesophagus. He said: “I feel very privileged to have turned my love of motor cars, fascination with maps, and experience of international rallying into one of the toughest classic car tours in Europe.

“Both my late wife, Tricia, and I felt it important to raise money for charity with the challenge. However, like so many entrants, over the years, the fundraising has become even more personal.”

The event is a celebration of classic cars that brings together like minded enthusiasts. The winner is not the car which finishes first, but instead the team which raises the most money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

This year the 2,700-mile rally starts at Newquay on April 23, finishing two weeks later at Cape Cornwall on May 7. The event ends with a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa.

Jemma Luker, Regional Fundraising Manager, Hampshire shared her thanks to the participants for their support: “The first event, Cape Cornwall to Cape Wrath, raised an amazing £32,000 and to date over £900,000 has been achieved.

“Everyone who takes part in a fundraising event for Macmillan has their own special reason and the funds they raise help us to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.

“We cannot thank the entrants and Cape to Cape supporters enough.”

If you would like to find out more about the Cape to Cape rally and would like to show your support, visit macmillan-org.enthuse.com/cf/capetocape2022.

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