Thank you for visiting the Team VIM fundraising page. We'd like to start proceedings by quoting from one of our favourite books: 'A Long and Windy Road' by Tony McLonely.

'A Long and Windy Road'

As individuals, Buggy, Bull and Fatski had all achieved a great number of extraordinary and wonderful things. Accomplishments marked forever in time. Never to be forgotten. Always to be remembered. Such was the fabric of their independent souls.

So when news spread, these noble heroes were uniting to plan something most extraordinary and most wonderful, the world marvelled and whispered at what would be achieved.

Yet behind closed doors things were not as they were meant to be. For it was their Loneliness, the quality that had first placed them on the great map of society, that now threatened the success of the mission before them - to take a beaten up old banger 2000km through the treacherous vineyards of Bordeaux, across the barren desertscapes of Spain and onto the wild Portuguese coast, where at long last they would deliver all of the money raised in sponsorship to Africa Bookcase-Gemini.

And things were about to take a turn for the worse.
 
"For the last time, I'm Steve McQueen," commanded Buggy. "You can be David Hasselhoff, you know like, Knightrider."

Secretly Fatski was not completely averse to this suggestion, but for the sake of appearances, he maintained a sulky demeanour just to annoy the trumped up Buggy, who by now was quite drunk on his recently acquired power as team leader.  

"I wud luv it if I could be Steve McQueen just once. I wud luv it. Everytime it's the same thing. At least let me wear the jacket. Knightrider, like me, luvs the leather."

"No chance," cried Buggy. "I had to throw away the one you just wore." 

"That's not fair, you know I can't help it," Fatski said quietly as the tears began welling up. "I don't like you being in charge."

By now numb to the bickering that had plagued them since the beginning, Bull, his chance at team leader shot to pieces, remained immersed in his maps, plans, and strange things to say to girls. But on seeing Fatski close to tears, he returned his attention to the fray.

"Here ya are, Fats, you can wear the overalls, just don't get upset. I'll even share the scarf and googles with you, how's that sound?"

"Ahh luvely Bull. Thank you," exclaimed Fatski, now more than happy with his lot. "But does this mean, you're not Michael Caine anymore?"

"It'll take more than that to stop me being Michael Caine," said Bull. "And I say if we're going to do it then let's do it right. One for all and all for one. Here look I've finally got it all planned out."

"I'm in charge now. So I'll make the decisions thank you please thank you," said Buggy, annoyed by Bull's encroachment of his authority. "It's a rally through Europe, not the jungles of Panama. We don't need a plan. Fatski, did you get the bin bags from Tone?"

Fatski, absorbed by the spinning wheels on his toy car, didn't respond.

"Fatski!" Buggy screamed. "Did you get the bin bags from Tone?"

"All right, all right, keep your hair on," quipped Fatski. "I spoke to him, but he was all out."

"Must I do everything myself?" tutted Buggy. "You had but one simple thing to do."

"So I called Slack instead," said Fatski, who was now beaming from ear to ear. "And I've got a whole bunch coming from him, clean ones too," he said, most pleased with his initiative.

"Good thinking Fats," cheered Bull.

Fatski turned to Bull and with all the courage he could muster, said out proud, "I wish you were in charge again Bull and not him. The last 20 mins has been horrible."

Bull leaned into Fatski and whispered, "I'd let you wear the jacket for sure." 

"Right then," bellowed Buggy, trying to resume control. "With the bin bags sorted, that's the sleeping, eating and cleaning all taken care of in one go. A bin bag each for the whole weekend is all that is required. So tell me, what's all this?"

Bull proceeded to list the items that lay in front of him, but before he could count off his third woolley jumper, Buggy stopped him dead.

"All together now. What is it we are trying to do?" 

Going through the motions Bull and Fatski feebly replied, "Keep a heap of a car on the road with not one jot of mechanical knowledge between us."

"And why are we doing it?" added Buggy.

This time Bull and Fatski roared, "Because we believe it's a good idea to help those less fortunate AND it will be FUN."

"Correct," said Buggy.

"There will be girls, won't there?" asked Fatski. "You said there'd be girls."

"Oh there'll be plenty," said Bull. In fact I have planned for pitstops and picstops galore en route that will enable us to shine brightly. Which is all the more reason why we should be as prepared as possible. There's no harm in it."

"But where's the fun in it?" Buggy replied. "In my experience, the girls luv a man on the edge. A spur of the moment tasmanian devil of a man, just like me."

"Oh you're so right," conceded a crestfallen Bull, as he started to fold and put away his woolley jumpers. "You're so right."

"So let me do the talking. I am after all fluent in 43 languages," Buggy announced proudly. "And can speak the language of luv in every one."

"I wud luv to be able to do that," said Fatski. "Me too." cried Bull. "Do you have to go to school for that?"

"Just stick with me lads," said Buggy. "Now it seems all that's left, is to raise our target. how are we going to do that?"

"I know. I know. Please let me say...oh please!" Squealed a now highly excited Fatski.

"Put your hand down," Buggy said impatiently. "Then you may speak."

"We get everyone we know to dig deep and sponsor us online, that's what we do," beamed the Fats.

"Not bad." said Buggy.

"Then when we have £10,000 we'll have helped all those children in Africa, who desperately want an education," said Bull. 

"That's the desired result." said Buggy.

"Oh luv it, luv it!" they cried.  "Marvellous, marvellous!" They cheered all at once.

And so it was Buggy, Fatski and Bull were at long last united. Hand-in-hand they triumphantly burst through the doors of the walk-in wardrobe they had been planning in for the best part of an hour.

Outside in Buggy's bedroom legions of their adoring fans were waiting. Team VIM  strode through the crowd heads held high as men rejoiced like never before and women screamed for more and more. "Team VIM for the Sucata Run 2008, Team VIM for the Sucata Run 2008," resounded all the way down the hall out of the kitchen window and out onto the street below.

All that remained now was to find a broken down car, to keep it running, ensure they don't crash, avoid the sirens and the Sirens and pray they make it in one piece. At least until the party anyway...

THE END  

Notes:
 
This rally takes place over the August bank hoilday. Here is where ALL your cash will be going. We truly believe it is an important cause, so please give generously.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us. Africa Bookcase - Gemini will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor Team VIM now and help us reach our £10,000 target.

Many thanks for your support.

Additional note:

VIM doesn't stand for anything. It's just a name for the collective spirit of our team members. The car pictured may not be the model we eventually use. We should be so lucky...