Car enthusiasts raise funds for childrens’ charity

The second annual Teddy Bear Run in aid of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice took place last weekend and the organisers are now delighted to announce that they have raised over £7,000 for the charity.

On the day 64 incredible vehicles including a dodge viper, a Ferrari Enzo and Aston Marton DB6 as well as a tractor, two fire engines, two police car escorts, 120 people, eight children, three dogs and one football mascot Reggie the Red from Crawley FC, met at Lets Race, the UK’s only full motion F1 simulator Centre in Horley, to fill their cars full of brand new teddies for the children at the hospice. They then set off in convoy to Chestnut Tree House in Arundel to deliver the presents to the children.

The Teddy Bear Run, which was launched last year, was created by two car lovers, Westley Waller and John Rampion, as they wanted to deliver presents to a children’s charity. Westley’s wife, who works at Barclays Bank in Horsham, had a connection with Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice and from this the Teddy Bear Run was born.

One of the drivers, who took part in the spectacular charity event and delivered some of the teddies to Chestnut Tree House, commented:

“It was so lovely to meet everyone at the Teddy Bear Run, we made some new friends and also met some old ones. It was a super morning with fantastic cars and to be involved made the day very special.

“Just before we left the hospice a family came up to us and asked why all of the cars were there. We explained that we had been privileged to be invited to partake in the event and the giving of teddies and the lady said how Chestnut Tree House had helped her the year before her daughter died and that her family were visiting her daughter’s memory tree in the garden. She then added she still had the teddy that was given to her daughter at last year’s Teddy Bear Run. My husband and I were nearly in floods of tears. To Westley and everyone who helped organise the event - keep up the fantastic work!”

Rupert Swallow, Managing Director of Lets Race added: “Lets Race welcomes motor enthusiasts through its doors on a daily basis as well as families and children who want to enjoy the rush of racing in a safe environment so we were the perfect location for the cars to start their Teddy Bear Run from. It was wonderful to see so many unique vehicles outside our building and I hope that everyone that had a go in one our simulators enjoyed the F1 challenge”