Dear All

Only one week to go before I embark on the gruelling ride for BEN charity. I would like to thank those that have donated already and would really appreciate any donations from anyone that can help no matter how small. take a look below at how your donations can help. 

 

Why Ben?

When I saw this Motorcyycle Rally I thought this would be a great opportunity to personally help my industry's charity. Ben charity supports automotive people, and their dependants, in times of need, sometimes you just don't know what life will throw at you - but BEN will be there to help in whatever way they can.

Often it's not the person who works in the industry that needs BEN's help, it could be their partner, parent or in many cases their children - BEN's help extends to all.

 

Oliver

Oliver's dad, David, is a senior technician at a supportive dealership in Merseyside. Oliver is four years old and has severe disabilities. He needs constant medical attention which involves frequent visits to the doctor and hospital.

As Oliver has hydrocephalus, epilepsy, cerebral Palsy and is blind, he also receives conductive education and physiotherapy which costs £60 per week.

In 2007 Oliver was offered specialist NHS physiotherapy treatment in London. However, David and his wife Helen didn't receive any financial support for travel and hotel costs. The bill for the 14 nights' accommodation and related expenses was more than £1,000. As they have a limited income, BEN awarded a grant towards travel and accommodation costs.

BEN will keep in touch with David and Helen in the future as Oliver will need on-going care and support. One thing's for sure, despite his disabilities, he is a happy little boy who makes all those who know him smile.

 

Don Black

Don Black was a sales executive at a car dealership and lived in Essex with his wife, Jacque, and their two beautiful children.  When Don became seriously ill and the family needed support his dealer principal immediately got in touch with BEN.

Don was diagnosed with pseudomyoloma peritonei, a particularly difficult cancer to treat. His doctors recommended treatment at a hospital in Hampshire for six weeks. This was difficult for both Don and Jacque as visiting with a young family was almost impossible. Thankfully we were able to help towards costs so Jacque could stay in a nearby hotel for a while and commute the rest of the time. Their BEN welfare officer also approached other charities who have since helped with their general living costs so that they could concentrate on Don's treatment.

His treatment was aggressive and very difficult to bear, and this inevitably had an effect on the entire family.  The couple were in desperate need of a break, so we made another grant which helped to give Don and Jacque a vital few days away together.

Tragically, Don lost his brave six year fight against cancer in 2010.

 

Ellie Bartram

Tony and Sarah Bartram both worked in our industry in the insurance sector and have four wonderful children. Their eldest daughter Ellie is eight years old and has Cystic Fibrosis, a life limiting and life threatening condition that attacks the lungs and other body tissues

Ellie needs daily physiotherapy to keep her lungs clear and this constant regime can be distressing.  She has a trampoline which really helps her breathing and she loves it.  However Tony and Sarah were concerned about her using it as they felt the garden wasn't safe.  BEN stepped in and provided a grant to sort the garden out and Ellie is bouncing safely once more.

The family also needed to have their house adapted for Ellie's needs.  Although they received help from the Local Authority there was a lot of work still to be done after the adaptations were completed, so we have helped with that too.  Ellie is thrilled with her new room and the whole family is delighted to be home now the work has been finished.

 

Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh has worked in the motor industry since he was 15 and has supported BEN through Payroll Giving for many years.

Always fit and healthy, Andrew played badminton in the Southport league until he damaged some ligaments and dislocated his knee. He needed an operation which put him out of work for three months, and as he was playing sport he didn't qualify for mortgage protection. His statutory sick pay wasn't enough to cover his mortgage and bills. Thankfully, with his knowledge of BEN, Andrew knew where to turn for support and advice.

Tina, our Welfare Officer in his region, visited him and helped renegotiate payments on his mortgage. BEN also helped Andrew meet council tax payments by giving him a grant. Not having to worry about paying vital bills helped Andrew concentrate on getting better and back on his feet. "I'm so glad I made the call to BEN," he said. "It has made my life easier and now I'm back at work and I always support BEN whenever I can. I never thought I'd need BEN's help, but the team really came through for me when I did and I urge all my colleagues in the industry to get behind their charity.

 

The Ride

The 4 day ride starts on 22nd Sept 2012 and the plan is to start at Dover, travel accross the channel and make our way to Dijon for the first pit stop. After this we will make our way through France down to Monaco completing what will be my first 1000 miles from home!!!. We will stay the night and about turn the next day and head back stopping again at Dijon, and hit home with 2000 miles under my belt and hopefully some cash for BEN.

 

Motorlcean Ltd have made this ride possible, donating the entry fee, and supporting my ride, we are very pleased to be able to give to this fantastic cause.

please, please, please dig deep and help me reach my target!!