News

Press Release - 3 August 2007

To Russia With Love - For The BEN Red Square Ralliers

After months of preparation by the BEN Events Team, the first ever BEN Trafalgar Square to Red Square Rally, consisting of 20 participants, successfully completed its 3000km, eight day challenge. This exciting event raised over £25,000 for BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity. BEN's Director of Fundraising & Communications, Charles Davis, said, "Given that this is the first time we have been involved with an event of this nature I am delighted with the results. Not only have we raised much needed income but we have also significantly increased the profile of our charitable work. We will continue to review new and exciting  challenge events over the next twelve months, so if anyone is interested in signing up for our next adventure then please get in touch."

There were many highlights along the way and these are all documented on the Red Square Ralliers' Blog located on www.ben.org.uk. Nervous tension was mixed with great excitement of what lay ahead for everyone on the day of departure. Spirits were high and a few individuals played practical jokes on their fellow team members. Given the complexity of the long drive over the eight days and the sweltering temperatures, there were relatively few incidents. However, some of the vehicles experienced problems with road works on their journey to Szczecin in Poland and could not follow the planned route. Everyone had a tale to tell about their border crossing at Lithuania when individuals were held back and questioned for some time about their documentation. This was nothing compared to the border crossing from Latvia into Russia when it took eight hours before the vehicles were allowed through.

After an early start on the Saturday morning, the final leg of the mammoth drive to Moscow began. No-one expected the roads in Russia to be as good as they were and this made for an earlier arrival time than expected, into Red Square, at c4.30pm. Greeted by members of the Russian Mini club who escorted the convoy into the city, stopping the busy traffic to ensure that all the vehicles could stay together, made impressive viewing for the many onlookers who were waiting to greet the rally drivers and team members as they reached their final destination.

A Gala Dinner was held on the Sunday evening to celebrate in style. This was a great success and representatives from both the British Embassy and AEBRUS, the Russian equivalent of the SMMT, were in attendance. A number of individuals expressed their gratitude to the BEN Events team for organising such a splendid and memorable event. Collectively everyone agreed that they had had an experience of a lifetime, in great company, and wouldn't have missed it for the world. One of the participants, Steve Neath, from The Automobile Association commented "I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Together we have achieved something really special, not only for ourselves but for the thousands of people for whom BEN is a lifeline. Thanks to BEN, myself and the rest of the Ralliers, there is a real sense of purpose that we have taken part in a something very unique and it's going to be hard to beat".

Many pictures available

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

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.