BEN offers financial,
emotional and practical help and support to more
than 15,000 men, women and children connected
with the automotive sector. Ford covered the costs for Team
Anglia to start the event, the first ever BEN
Trafalgar Square to Red Square Rally.
Around 20 participants,
in 11 vehicles, set off from central London on
July 14 and crossed the channel over to the Hook
of Holland, through Germany, Poland, Lithuania,
Latvia and finally into Russia to the finishing
line of Red Square in Moscow on July 21.
John and Roy, from
Ilford and Stondon Massey in Essex, have both
worked in the motor industry for most of their
lives.
They were accompanied
throughout their journey by an AA Mini Van with
onboard mechanic, who was given his fair
share of work by Team Anglia.
John said: "Our
exhaust system came apart a few times and we
suffered a major electrical failure of the
windscreen wiper motor and, on occasions, the
only way we could keep the engine temperature
below 110 degrees was to put the heater on full
and drive with the windows open.
"Despite all of
these little problems, we still managed to keep
up with, and often outrun, the rest of the
pack."
While their car was
transported back to the UK, Team Anglia flew back
from Moscow, arriving at Heathrow Airport on
Monday, July 23.
Roy, whose family have
all worked for Ford, including his grandfather
who worked on the Ford Anglia production line,
said: "The Anglia is still a delightful car
that was economical to run, big enough to hold
all our luggage and spares and yet small enough
to get between the lorries.
"I own four in
total, including one which belonged to my
grandfather, and the reason we chose the Anglia
is because it is immense fun to drive."
Kelly Neal, BEN Events
Manager, added: "The London to Moscow Rally
raised an estimated £25,000 for BEN, and we
would like to thank Team Anglia, and Ford, for
their efforts and generous donation. Well
done."
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