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Carte Blanche Greetings Ltd famous for Me to You featuring Tatty Teddy and new brands such Violent  Veg and Vivacious Veg is proud to sponsor two handpicked, home-grown teams from its head office staff to take part in the 2009 Home 2 Rome “banger” car rally across France and Italy. 

With a Girls’ team representing the company’s “Vivacious Veg” brand (which is the only all girls team to take part in the rally) and a Boys’ team representing the company’s “Violent Veg” brand the two teams will vie to be the first to the finishing point in Rome.

On the Girls' team "Vivacious Veg", we have Lorna Westwood, Jocasta Kelsey and Julia Andrews.

On the Boys' team "Violent Veg", we have Mark Hilder, James Allen and Steve Mort-Hill.

Taking place from Monday 27th – Friday 31st July over 49 teams will be challenged to complete the 5 day, 1800 mile circuit in a bid to win the £1000 prize money, which will be donated to the company’s chosen charity, Southampton Hospital Charity’s PICU Fund. 

Whilst the Vivacious Veg Girls’ Team and the Violent Veg Boys’ Team will be in hot competition, they will both working together for the same goal, to raise an overall target of £25,000 for PICU.   Please sponsor the teams by donating through this site.  If you want to back a specific team, please type Vivacious Veg Girls’ Team – or Violent Veg Boys’ Team in the message box when you make your donation, thank you.

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Southampton General Hospital is the lead centre for paediatric intensive care in South West England and a recognised centre for training in paediatric intensive care medicine.  The Unit has 11 beds and treats over 730 children per year ranging in age from 0-18 in specialist areas such as cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, trauma, medical emergencies and neonatal surgery.

The Home 2 Rome challenge is different to that of its more glamorous rally rivals.  The rules state that each team must travel in a car at least older than a UK N reg and have cost no more than £150.  With a number of different challenges across the five-day event the teams will be tested to the limit.  While the company will be funding the Vivacious and Violent Veg teams, the groups have been set the additional challenge of spending the least amount of money during the trip, with the money saved being given to PICU.

The Vivacious Veg Girls’ team, looking radiant in a K-reg Fiesta, will square up against the Violent Veg Boys’ team who will cruise the circuit in a C-reg BMW.  Far from being intimidated by the threat of the Boys’ more powerful engine, Julia Andrews commented: “We’re not afraid.  We’re gonna make like a banana, and split!”

Mark Hilder, of the Boys’ team said “This event, while being a unique experience is all about raising funds for PICU.  The Unit is second to none in the excellent service and quality of care they provide to their young patients and families.  We want to raise as much money as we can to make sure that the Unit can help as many patients as possible.  With our son, my family and I experienced at first hand, on more than one occasion, the full specialist medical services the unit and staff can provide during a time of such anxiety for all the family."

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Southampton Hospital Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!