Blackpool car dealership team in £30,000 charity drive

They took part in a in a dealership driving tour to support the Prince’s Trust Million Makers campaign.

The Vantage Motor Group was also announced as the competition’s national runners up at the National Final on March 6 in the Impact Award category.

The funds generated are used to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people around the country.

In support of this, a team from Vantage Citroen Blackpool including Lewis Goddard, Rob Wyatt and William Stones set out last week, visiting all 22 dealerships in theVantage Group along a 570 miles route.

Team Blackpool were competing against 21 others from each of Vantage’s dealerships to complete the tour in the time closest to 13 hours. This was set by the Million Makers teams to ensure all participants took necessary breaks and were able to maintain a safe and efficient driving style, which was monitored through the use of telematics.

The 22 teams taking part managed to raise the grand total of £28, 927.72 with each car taking part having already secured sponsorship through local donors who added their branding to the race-day cars. Vantage also supplemented this through sales of branded charity wristbands, cake sales and raffles across each of its dealership sites.

Last year, Vantage became a Patron of The Prince’s Trust and Vantage Managing Director Mark Robinson also joined The Trust’s Regional Development Committee.

Blackpool-born Vantage founder and managing director Mark Robinson said he was proud of the whole team.

He said: “Our tour was all about raising money for The Prince’s Trust, an organisation which is instrumental in giving young people the head starts they need in their careers, regardless of their background or experience.

“As a business, we’ve experienced first-hand the incredible work the charity does on a day-to-day basis and hope the funds we raised along our dealership tour will support the Trust’s objectives of helping young people access employment. I am very proud of all the Vantage colleagues involved and the money they’ve raised - to claim the titles as the Million Makers regional winner is the icing on the cake and a just reward for everyone’s hard work!”

Sian Howarth, Fundraising Executive at The Prince’s Trust, said: "It never ceases to amaze me the fantastic lengths individuals and teams go to in support of our Million Makers campaign.

"We are extremely grateful to the whole team at Vantage Motor Group for their efforts. Giving their time and commitment so readily and selflessly for the benefit of others is what Million Makers is all about."