Bosham company to drive Star Wars X-Wing Fighter from Margate to Corfu

Star Wars characters from a Bosham company are all set to drive a 20-year-old car converted into an X-Wing Fighter from Margate to Corfu to raise money for charity.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Sep 2018, 10:40 BST
Updated 5th Sep 2018, 07:22 BST
From left, Martin Hyde, Mat Bacon, Roger Lightfoot and Dave Wolfenden. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884343a.From left, Martin Hyde, Mat Bacon, Roger Lightfoot and Dave Wolfenden. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884343a.
From left, Martin Hyde, Mat Bacon, Roger Lightfoot and Dave Wolfenden. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884343a.

This is the second year industrial equipment supplier Heat Load has taken part in the Dumball Rally to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Teenage Cancer Trust said on their website that the 'cavalcade of fancy dress mayhem', which starts in Dreamland in Margate on September 14, will bring the seaside town to a 'standstill'.

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Dave Wolfenden, Heat Load director, said: "Last year’s rally had us driving a fleet of ageing Mahindra Jeeps across India. Our car raised £7,500; the event in total raised over £150k.

From left, Martin Hyde, Mat Bacon, Roger Lightfoot and Dave Wolfenden. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884343a.From left, Martin Hyde, Mat Bacon, Roger Lightfoot and Dave Wolfenden. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884343a.
From left, Martin Hyde, Mat Bacon, Roger Lightfoot and Dave Wolfenden. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884343a.

"For this year’s rally we are driving from Margate to Corfu, in a car costing no more than £500."

Cars and their drivers must be in fancy dress and Heat Load has chosen Star Wars as their theme.

Dave, who is dressing up as Darth Vader, added: "Our 20-year old Peugeot 406 has been converted into a X-Wing Fighter and we will be dressed as various Star Wars characters.

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"So far we have raised nearly £9,000 from a variety of sources; sponsorship from companies, taking part in a Tough Mudder (which nearly killed me), running a donation bar at Goodwood FoS campsite, several boot sales and donations from friends and colleagues."

Cars and their drivers must be in fancy dress and Heat Load has chosen Star Wars as their theme. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884337aCars and their drivers must be in fancy dress and Heat Load has chosen Star Wars as their theme. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884337a
Cars and their drivers must be in fancy dress and Heat Load has chosen Star Wars as their theme. Picture by Derek Martin. dm1884337a

Heat Load's target for their car is £10,000 but they 'hope to exceed this'.

"We have paid all of the costs, none of our sponsorship goes toward the cost of taking part," Dave said.

On route (pictured) the company hope to visit orphanages in 'less fortunate' countries to 'hand out stuff we have collected already'.

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Dave said: "So far our sponsors include B&W Engineering, Red Engineering, Grattes Brothers, Phoenix ME, Kew Electrical (Chichester), Smiths Environmental Products, Secantor, Limbo (Bosham), AVG Power, Harwoods Group (Pulborough)."

The Dumball Rally route. Picture contributedThe Dumball Rally route. Picture contributed
The Dumball Rally route. Picture contributed

So far the Dumball has raised over £850,000 and they are 'determined to smash' the £1 million mark, but they are fully booked for this year's rally.

For more information visit https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/support-us/fundraise/events-and-challenges/adrenalin/dumball.

See also: Chichester mayor hails 'superb' charity cyclists after 731-mile challenge

Seventeen firearms stolen from Bosham property

Chichester air cadets are recruiting now!

Related topics:Corfu