News

Press Release - 10 July 2007

BEN Races in Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race

The team during their first training weekend

For the first time BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity, will be making its debut in an extremely demanding event with an unenviable reputation, the 'Rolex Fastnet yacht race'. The entry into the 608 miles race, which starts on August 12, is being made in the form of a BDM-BEN team which will be sailing on a Mystic 60 called L'isme.

The entry has been arranged by Mike Surridge, Managing Director of BDM, an organisation working predominately within the automotive sector. As well as being Managing Director of BDM, Mike is a commercially qualified and experienced skipper with a number of passages, races and teaching experiences under his 'keel'.

Mike, who contacted BEN with the fund raising initiative said, "I saw the event at two levels, the first being the sport of sailing which in itself is a demanding team activity presenting many challenges. The second is the steep learning curve for the crew who have to qualify by racing in two pre Fastnet events. The first event will be from Cowes to St.Malo in France on Friday 13 – 16 July and the second being a race in the English Channel shortly after prior to the Fastnet race in August."

By entering this event the crew of 8 guests and 2 core crew members will have raised £9500 for BEN. Charles Davis, who recently joined BEN as Director of Fundraising and Communications, commented "What struck me the most about this initiative is the huge amount of effort that each member has put behind raising sponsorship funds. Activities have ranged from baking cakes and selling them to colleagues, to 'in-house auctions', to charity balls, to a manager at the AA putting the use of their Audi TT for the weekend up for the highest bidder. However, I think the most bold and unusual initiative is that the AA's Information Systems Director, Trevor Didcock, has offered to cook dinner for the highest bidder in the comfort of his own home."

Charles Davis went on to say, "I would like to thank Mike Surridge, in particular, for all his efforts in bringing this event together and for the many hours of organisation required for this type of event. I would also like to thank all those who have put so much effort into raising the funds including NGK, Peugeot finance and the AA are represented by 5 of the 8 sponsored crew.

The BDM-BEN team is made up of the following individuals:

Fastnet hyper link: http://www.rorc.org/content/view/202/184/

Further Information:

Lorna Russell
Media Relations Officer
Tel: 01344 294765 / 07920 138187
Fax: 01344 622042
email: lorna.russell@ben.org.uk
Website: www.ben.org.uk

Mike Surridge
Managing Director
BDM
Tel: 0845 373 4100
email: mikesurridge@bdm-voice.co.uk
Website: www.bdm-ltd.co.uk

Editor's Notes:

BEN is the Automotive Industry Charity, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries. Founded in 1905, the Charity provides practical help, support, advice and friendship to more than 15,000 men and women and their families every year. In addition BEN provides a home to over 350 individuals who reside in one of its four residential centres in the UK and offers day care facilities at its centre in Coventry.

BDM (Business Development & Marketing), is focused on providing solutions to help improve the performance and efficiency of business. It helps its clients achieve increased business performance through:

• Business consultancy
• Training and Prospecting
• EquityParity
• Voice recording and Non Geographic numbers
• Business telecoms
• Bluetooth technology