Raised: 120%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £2,390.00
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My story

 
Stephen and Debbie are off on the Italian Job Rally which starts on October 19th 2009.  Launched in 1989 with the aim of raising money for children in a fun way, the Italian Job has raised over £2.2m of funds in aid of national children's charities. The event is based on the original 1969 film of The Italian Job with Michael Caine – though sadly we won’t be returning with any of the gold!

Where are you going?

We drive through a number of Italy's most fantastic cities such as Turin, where we go for a spin on the famous Lingotto roof top test track used in the film. We drive well off the beaten track, over medieval bridges, through tiny villages, and even onto an F1 Grand Prix circuit.

What's the route?

This year’s navigational rally starts in Turin, and visits some amazing locations such as Ferrari at Maranello and their private test track at Fiorano, Lamborghini in Modena, visiting Florence, Rome & Imola where we will also take part in various challenges and special stages along the way.

How does it finish?

Eventually the group of approximately 100 Mini’s (covering in the region of approximately 2500-3500 miles) winds its way back up through France, to London where all the cars process in convoy from the O2 to the Albert Memorial.

How much are you hoping to raise?

Our target is £2000 and we will top up any donation from you up to this target by a further 10% ourselves! So please make a donation through this site – or if more convenient, send us a cheque.

What happens to the money raised?

The money goes to the charities, mainly KidsOut – none is used to finance our trip.

What is KidsOut?

KidsOut aims to provide fun and happiness for disadvantaged children - children who have physical disabilities, learning difficulties, abused, terminally ill, underprivileged, single parent and ethnic minority families.  It operates in the UK. 

Are you going on your own?

No, we are going with a small group of friends so there will be five minis in this team - three original style and two new (BMW) type.  Curiously, one of the minis used to belong to Jeffrey Archer (author & convict!) and coincidentally, there is a big scene (with camp Freddie) in the film that takes place in the building in which Jeffrey Archer now has his London flat

Is it an anniversary this year?

Yes it’s a multiple anniversary.  Its 50 years since the Mini was launched (1959), 40 years since The Italian Job with Michael Caine was released in the UK and 20 years since The Italian Job rally started.

Is Michael Caine appearing?

Sadly no, though he did appear at one of the events in 1997 and is a Patron of the event

How many Minis were used in the filming of the Italian Job?

Around 30 Minis were used– and one or two survived the filming! Two were destroyed in the chase sequence where the reprobates drive through the sewers – they tried to get the Minis to do a 360 degree barrel roll but after three failed attempts it was abandoned.

Are you going to be driving through the sewers as part of the rally?

Thankfully no!  Anyway the sewers used where new and unused and were actually near Coventry in Stoke Aldermoor.  Top Gear are planning a re-enactment this year through the new sewer being built in Belfast

 

Well done! Donation by Trish & Richard Lynch 16/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

... better late than never Donation by John Hargreaves 06/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done! Donation by John Callaghan 03/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope you have a 'Mini adventure' ... Donation by David Hurst 16/10/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

have a great time - but watch the sewer section Donation by chriss and derek 08/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Enjoy! Donation by JIm Monks 05/10/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Time to pay up I guess.... Donation by Mr Bridger 05/10/09  

£160.00 + £45.13 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 05/10/09  

Congratulations on passing your target. Donation by Roger & Jackie 03/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck and enjoy! Donation by simon ashdown 01/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You call this work? Donation by Marcus Gorton 29/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Mini car - maxi initiative. All power to your respective elbows... Donation by Chris Ring & Zena Woodward 27/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Ann Nathan 26/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Stephen -this is not what I meant when I said why don't you get a job! Have a great time. Donation by Justin & Sandra 25/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Have a great trip! Donation by Nicki and Nigel 25/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Enjoy your adventure and bon voyage Donation by Tony O'Brien 22/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Have a wonderful trip and don't eat too much pasta! Jan and Keith Donation by Jan Campbell Young 21/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

We are very concerned about how Debbie's clothes will fit in the Mini! Regards Peter & Gloria Donation by Peter Roche 21/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

I thought 'Lingotto' was a fancy Tuscan pasta until you focused me on The Italian Job! Cane it! Donation by Paul Chedgy 20/09/09  

£60.00 + £16.92 Gift Aid

"Blimey...Bloody Grand Prix!" Good Luck! Donation by Peter Anderson 19/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Great stuff. Hope you have a great time and such a worthy cause. Take care xx Donation by Susan Leamon 18/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

have a great time. well done Donation by martin wakefield 18/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Room for a passenger in the back? Donation by Derek Smith 17/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Sounds like great fun - have a fantastic trip Donation by michael culley 17/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck and have a great trip Donation by John Archer 15/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Go easy on the Rum! Have a great trip Liz and Mike Donation by Liz Cooper-Mitchell 13/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Have a great time BUT don't blow the bloody doors off. Colin & Ann Donation by Colin Bromley 12/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well I hope you "Get A Bloomin' Move On" !! Donation by John Wylde 10/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Have a great road trip. Donation by Janice & Graham 10/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

The New Malden Travel Club are looking forward to joining you in the Mini! Donation by Gerald and Judy 09/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £1,910.00
  Offline donations: £480.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £530.26

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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.