News

Press Release - 12 September 2007

Fastnet Crew Raise £9,500 for BEN

A charity dinner was held on Friday 31 August at the Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke to honour the BDM-BEN team who took part in this year’s Fastnet Yacht Race from Cowes.    Together, the team has raised over £9,500 for BEN through undertaking the monumental challenge of competing in this 608 mile race, a pursuit which has a fearsome reputation.    A cheque was handed over to Kelly Neal, BEN Events Manager.

Charles Davis, Director of BEN’s Fundraising & Communications, commented “Incredibly, the team only met for the first time in July and have since notched up over 300 racing miles on L’Ismé to qualify for this year’s event.   In addition to the many hours of training to qualify for the race, individuals had to raise their own sponsorship income to take part in this event.”

Stepping outside of your ‘comfort zone’ is a term often spoken about by management training guru’s and theorist’s but, to the BDM-BEN crew, this was a harsh reality.   Mike Surridge, the Organiser, commented that “There were some individuals who really had to dig deep to overcome a combination of tiredness from sailing 24/7 and manage the effects of sea sickness.   Weather conditions were appalling and sadly very few yachts completed the race - over 70% of the 300 yachts entered were forced to retire before the finish, including BEN’s own team.    Two of BDM-BEN’s crew members sustained injuries whilst assisting in a Mayday relay on behalf of another yacht.    However, this hasn’t dampened spirits. Terry Driscoll who competed in the race says, “It’s not put any of us off,  in fact, it is just unfinished business as we will be back again in 2009 for the next Fastnet race!”

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Further information:

Lorna Russell, Media Relations Officer, BEN
T: 01344 294765 M: 07920 138187 Fax 01344 622042 lorna.russell@ben.org.uk

Editors’ Notes

The Crew
Melanie Cole, Catherine Strange, Peter Brown and Terry Driscoll are L’Ismé’s Port Watch Team and John Kinchin, Daniel Roswell, Keith Wall and Katie Gibson are the Starboard Watch Team. The eight BEN crew members are from The AA, MPSA, NGK, and Ontime Automotive Limited.

Supporters
Thank you very much for your support to Alltransports, Aston Martin, Avon Timber, Ben Tomlinson, Bernard Group, Chris Lloyd, Damco (UK), Darren Coles, David Ritchie, Financial and Credit Insurance Services Limited (mark_letheren@fincred.co.uk), Helpstar Limited, Ian Foster, Jane & Steve Spurr, Kerry Wilson, Lynda Turrall, MDA, Michelle Brinklow, Panalpina World Transport, Quentin Webb, Tom Whittington, UltimaMedia, and WMG. Thanks also to Marshall Leasing Limited (www.marshall-leasing.co.uk) Indigo Software Limited (www.indigo.co.uk) and Brayley Honda (www.brayley-honda.co.uk)
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
•    Equity Parity
•    Voice recording and Non Geographic numbers
•    Business telecoms
•    Bluetooth technology

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.  

Website: www.ben.org.uk