This Thursday (21st April), The REAL Rally rolls out of the area for a three-day fund-raising journey around Northern Europe. The event has been organised by REAL - The Ethan Rees Linwood Memorial Fund, to support their work with local young people.
Thirty cars have entered, with some coming as far as Preston and Newcastle to get on the Starting Grid.
“It’s fair to say that everyone is getting rather excited now. We have had a fantastic response; from competitors, sponsors and people in general” says Bob Linwood, one of the charity’s founders and trustees.
“We personally know all of the entrants and the level of banter and interest is superb! And nearly everyone has done something crazy with their car!”
“We have five different super-hero themed cars, a few Black Cabs and a Mercedes convertible where each panel was painted a different colour by school children attending a recent career advice evening we held at Rye Street Group.”
The starting grid will form up at the Rye Street Group site at Raynham Road, Bishops Stortford at 6.30am. The entrants will gather there, poking fun at each other’s cars, enjoying a bacon roll and generally getting in the mood before the off.
Most of the contestants have decided to dress up in 70’s Glam Rock outfits for the first day’s journey, so there’ll be plenty of garish shirts and afro wigs on view! At 7.30 am, the flags will drop and we'll be on our way to the Kent coast.
After travelling through the Eurotunnel, our first night’s destination is Reims in the champagne region of France. After a group dinner in the city centre and an early night for most (but not all!), we shall be heading off to the cosmopolitan German city of Düsseldorf for the Friday night.
“We wake up on the Saturday morning on St Georges Day so we’re hoping to see many red and white outfits for the drive home” says Bob. “We wanted to try and create a party atmosphere for the event but it hasn’t been difficult - everyone going is really excited. I’m already planning next year’s one but my lips shall remain sealed on that for now!”
Morag Linwood, also a founder and trustee, adds “It’s been a lot of hard work to organise, especially as it’s just a week before our big Family Fun Day in Saffron Walden. The Rally will raise vital funds to help us develop and grow our REALfriends initiative to help and support bullied young people in the area.”
There is still time to fund raise so please encourage all your friends, relatives and business acquaintances to make a donation to the Rally - send them to your individual team’s Page, then click the “donate” tab to contribute via Virgin Money Giving. If you haven’t set up the VMG page, just take the money any way you can and pass it on to REAL!
For more information on the charity, its aims and aspirations, please visit realforethan.co.uk.
“It’s fair to say that everyone is getting rather excited now. We have had a fantastic response; from competitors, sponsors and people in general” says Bob Linwood, one of the charity’s founders and trustees.
“We personally know all of the entrants and the level of banter and interest is superb! And nearly everyone has done something crazy with their car!”
“We have five different super-hero themed cars, a few Black Cabs and a Mercedes convertible where each panel was painted a different colour by school children attending a recent career advice evening we held at Rye Street Group.”
The starting grid will form up at the Rye Street Group site at Raynham Road, Bishops Stortford at 6.30am. The entrants will gather there, poking fun at each other’s cars, enjoying a bacon roll and generally getting in the mood before the off.
Most of the contestants have decided to dress up in 70’s Glam Rock outfits for the first day’s journey, so there’ll be plenty of garish shirts and afro wigs on view! At 7.30 am, the flags will drop and we'll be on our way to the Kent coast.
After travelling through the Eurotunnel, our first night’s destination is Reims in the champagne region of France. After a group dinner in the city centre and an early night for most (but not all!), we shall be heading off to the cosmopolitan German city of Düsseldorf for the Friday night.
“We wake up on the Saturday morning on St Georges Day so we’re hoping to see many red and white outfits for the drive home” says Bob. “We wanted to try and create a party atmosphere for the event but it hasn’t been difficult - everyone going is really excited. I’m already planning next year’s one but my lips shall remain sealed on that for now!”
Morag Linwood, also a founder and trustee, adds “It’s been a lot of hard work to organise, especially as it’s just a week before our big Family Fun Day in Saffron Walden. The Rally will raise vital funds to help us develop and grow our REALfriends initiative to help and support bullied young people in the area.”
There is still time to fund raise so please encourage all your friends, relatives and business acquaintances to make a donation to the Rally - send them to your individual team’s Page, then click the “donate” tab to contribute via Virgin Money Giving. If you haven’t set up the VMG page, just take the money any way you can and pass it on to REAL!
For more information on the charity, its aims and aspirations, please visit realforethan.co.uk.