Fifty couples in prestigious new and classic sports cars took part in spectacular four-day event called ‘Drive to Maggie’s’ to raise funds for the national cancer charity from Sunday 22nd August.
The top of the range, high-performance cars departed from Maggie’s Lanarkshire in the grounds of Monkland’s Hospital from 9.30am last Sunday.
From there, the cars will took off on a four-day drive that took in some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside.
The convoy made a pitstop at Scotland’s national motorsport centre Knockhill Circuit in Fife on day two for a day of parade and driving challenges – including lapping the course with famous faces from the motor racing world such as Sir Chris Hoy, Allan McNish, John Cleland, Gordon Shedden and Jonny Adam.
Day three saw the cars cross the camber of the Scottish country roads to enjoy an evening Gala Dinner at Achnagairn Castle, near Inverness, where there will be a fantastic glittering raffle and auction. On day four the cars took another planned scenic route towards home.
The premium car event is expected to raise £75,000 for Maggie’s Lanarkshire.
Sandy Wilkie MBE, fundraising board chair for Maggie’s Lanarkshire, has been instrumental in forming the committee which has organised ‘Drive to Maggie’s’.
Sandy said: “Lockdown has meant that many people with cancer are facing illness that may not have been caught as early as it could have been. This means more people need Maggie’s more than ever right now and we wanted to fundraise to be able to help as much as we can.
“I am very passionate about fundraising for Maggie’s and I’ve been very lucky to have been able to work with a lot of people who have given up their time to put this event together. Myself and our committee members including Andrew Braidwood, Willie Paterson, Barry Wood and Chris Wilson have been working to put on this ‘Drive to Maggie’s’ event for a long time.
“Drive to Maggie’s promises to be a wonderful four-day event and we hope it will put a smile on a lot of people faces from start to finish. There will be fabulous cars worth seeing from the launch and along the way including an Aston Vantage, a Morgan, a Ferrari 488 Pista, an Alfa Romeo 6c 1934, a McLaren 720Spider, a Bentley GTC Supersport, and there will be many a Rolls Royce in attendance too.
“It’s not just about the people taking part for the full event, members of the public can also pay to take part on the second day to lap the course with a famous face at Knockhill
– with all funds going to Maggie’s.”
Sandy added: “We have been very lucky that Gordon Deuchars of Quest Precision in Dundee has kindly allowed us to borrow four of his fantastic Ferraris for use on the day for members of the public to lap Knockhill Racetrack. Gordon is a long-time supporter of Maggie’s Dundee and for that we are extremely grateful.
“Famous faces from the racing world will also be dropping in to take part too including the three-times winner of the 24-Hours of Le Mans, Allan McNish, Sir Chris Hoy, Jimmy McRae, Gordon Shedden, John Cleland and Jonny Adam – they will be telling many a race car anecdote, so it’s sure to be lots of fun.
“A Gala Dinner will form the finale of the four-day event at the backdrop of Achnagairn Castle and it’s there that we will host a Diamond Raffle with prizes up for grabs including a gents Rolex and glittering diamonds. There will also be a grand auction with fabulous prizes including a Hollywood Extravaganza Experience – including first class flights to Los Angeles, stay in a four-star hotel for four nights, plus VIP entry to the red-carpet premiere of Anthony and Joe Russo’s film, The Gray Man. Other prizes include the loan of a McLaren for a weekend, a fantastic Aston Martin experience, a Legendary Lunch for two on a yacht, and a Dario Franchitti Kool Green Race suit, to name just a few.
“The timing of Drive to Maggie’s couldn’t be better as we are able to hold this event without social distancing and people will be able to enjoy seeing all the cars in the different venues and have the pleasure of socialising with each other and all for a great cause.”
Lorrie Cameron, Centre Head for Maggie’s Lanarkshire said: “We are extremely lucky that Sandy and his team have got together to lead this supporter event for Maggie’s Lanarkshire. It promises to be a spectacular four-day event with classic cars crossing some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside, and with stars from the racing world giving their time to raise funds for Maggie’s. We can’t thank everyone enough. People with cancer need Maggie’s more than ever right now and this event has come at a perfect time.”
Members of the public can apply for a chance of a passenger hot lap around Knockhill circuit in a Ferrari alongside a famous face by emailing info@drivetomaggies.com
The lead sponsors of Drive to Maggie’s are Parks Motor Group, with further sponsorship from Asset Alliance Group and Arbuthnot Latham Ltd, Jackton Distillery, Browns Food Group, William Grant & Sons, and long-time supporters of Maggie’s Lanarkshire, Tunnocks.
The Tunnock’s Fleurs de Lys Delivery Van and Filshill Eldorado car also be taking part in the event, while the Equi’s of Hamilton van will promote ‘Maggie’s Text to Donate’ and a Maggie’s liveried support vehicle all carry luggage and goodies along the way.
Please see video-link below with footage of the four-day event.
Video Download link
https://we.tl/t-t2M6VO1gWt
In the ’Drive To Maggie’s’ photo from left to right are Barry Wood, Chairman of the Turnkey Group, Sandy Wilkie MBE, Chair of the Maggie’s Lanarkshire Fundraising Board, Christina Brown, Cancer Support Specialist for Maggie’s Lanarkshire and Andrew Braidwood, Managing Director at Sunax Ltd.
