Industry charity the Rainy Day Trust along with Teenage Cancer Trust are set to receive in excess of £150,000 between them thanks to the teams, sponsors and supporters of this year’s Pavestone Rally.
Following the now proven format of buying a banger for under £500 and then decorating it, the 38 teams from across the merchant and home improvement sector set off from Dover through to Nice on a four-day, 1,300 mile, 10 country adventure.
The Rally was organised and massively supported by Pavestone UK, and the proceeds for the Rally are to be split between the Rainy Day Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust. Each team was set a target of £1,500 to be raised for the charities, and a trophy would be awarded to the team that raised the most. Amazingly, three teams raised over £10,000 each and while funds are still coming in, the final figure is is looking to top £155,000 to share between the two charities.
Rainy Day Trust’s unstoppable CEO Bryan Clover took part in the rally with a fellow charity professional, Justin Macklin (Turn2Us) and commented that the event once again demonstrated what a “fantastic bunch of people” the home improvement industry is.
Bryan said: “Along with the Chairman and Board of Trustees at the Rainy Day Trust, I want to publicly thank Aaron Frogley and Pavestone UK for the immense amount of time, energy and hard work that they put into the Rally. The money raised will be invaluable in helping people from our industry who are struggling.
“What really stood out for me was the strength of bond between the teams, the willingness to help other teams whose vehicles were beginning to show the strain and above all, have a great time. The event is certainly gathering momentum.”
The trip included ‘tasks’ being set most days and on the first day alone these included being photographed with a policeman, giving a piggy back to a stranger and seeing how many people you could squeeze into your car: “Apparently, it’s possible to get 12 people into a large Volvo!” Bryan revealed.
The final day of the Pavestone Rally was a 400 mile drive to Nice for the final night and the awards dinner – with a stop at the Casino in Monte Carlo. “At the front of the Casino, Ferrari seemed to be having a show, so the arrival of 38 bangers, liberally decorated – one as a Viking long ship complete with prow and mast! – drew some strange looks,” noted Bryan.
At the evening’s awards dinner Aaron Frogley from Pavestone presented the winner’s trophy to the BMF/First Event team with Chandlers Building Supplies in a very close second place. The Best Fundraising Team Trophy, made by Steve Robinson Glass in St David’s, went to the NBG Ninjas for raising over £17,000. Second place went to Thomas Dudley with third place to Lawsons Building Supplies.
You can read more about the Pavestone Rally at www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/support-us/events/ and to make a donation visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/RainyDayTrustPavestone or text PAVE04 £5 to 70070
The Rainy Day Trust operates across three sectors (builders’ merchants, DIY & Hardware and Housewares & Tabletop) which have a combined turnover of more than £50billion and employ close to 500,000 people. It is the only charity which exists solely to help people who have worked in these industries, including DIY Shops, Hardware Stores, Builders’ Merchants, Garden Centres, Cookshops, and all the manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the UK who supply them.
The RDT grew out of two benevolent funds for the industry with roots back to 1843, and now offers a range of services to retail and supplier employees – from a regular cash payment to white goods and even house repairs.
