A cavalcade of classic cars will tour Yorkshire's roads next month to raise money for Martin House Children's Hospice.
The inaugural Mad Hatters Classic Car Run will take place on Sunday 1st June, offering spectators a rare glimpse of around 50 classic and vintage vehicles.
They’ll take on a 75-mile journey through the county’s most picturesque scenery in a bid to raise £50,000.
Among the vast array of vehicles taking part will be a couple of Bentleys dating to the 1930s, a two-seater Daimler Dart sports car from the 1960s, as well as classic Ferraris from more recent times, including a Ferrari Daytona.
For Harrogate car fans, the convoy will be passing down West Park and the Cenotaph between 10am and 10.30am, before heading out towards Ripley village.
Later, the drivers’ route takes in Boston Spa around 1pm and a pitstop at Martin House itself, before enjoying a farewell late lunch at The Motorist in Sherburn-in-Elmet, where the cars will be on display for the rest of the afternoon.
The chequered flag will fall with breakfast at the Drivers Club at Bowcliffe Hall.
The event is being brought to life by Harrogate businessman Will Linley and Ripon-based Jonathan Sands.
Linley & Simpson’s agency network of staff have generated more than £220,000 for Martin House over a decade of fundraising.
Founder Will Linley said:
“Martin House is very grateful to everyone who has contributed in different ways to make this event a success.
“For our entrants, this day will be a unique experience and genuine treat.”
Jonathan Sands added:
“To boost fundraising, we also have a number of very interesting auction lots, including an Aston Martin goody bag with merchandise signed by Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, a track day with McLaren, and a trip in a bi-plane!
“The day will conclude with prize giving, alongside a couple of other interesting additions and surprises!
“There will be prizes for the best dressed ‘Mad Hatter’, the favourite British car and favourite overseas marque as voted for by The Martin House team, the favourite car as voted for by your fellow drivers and the prize for the best sounding engine!”
Will continued:
“By participating in this event, entrants will be supporting the invaluable work of Martin House. In this inaugural year, all proceeds - which we hope will be in the region of £50,000 - will be allocated to The Build, an ambitious £21.9m rebuild of the hospice.
“Once completed, the hospice will be able to continue offering world class support to over 500 families a year with children and teenagers facing life-limiting conditions.”
A few places on the starting grid are still available at £495 per entrant.
Applications should be sent to MHCCR@outlook.com with details of the car make, model and year (eligible vehicles must be dated pre-1980) with the names of the driver and passenger.
For more information about the project, and to offer further support, please visit www.martinhouse.org.uk/the-build/
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