Here we go again, 30+ ex military veterans, driving in cars costing no more than £500, from the UK to Gibraltar.

Welcome to the 2023 Veterans Banger Rally. What could possibly go wrong!

This year our main charity is Blind Veterans UK, so our entry fee of £300 plus our first £100 of donations goes towards the Blind Veterans UK charity.

Team 37, the proud owner of a 20+ year old VW Golf Cabriolet, purchased on Ebay for a mere £360, are now about to start their 3rd rally. Please don't ask how much more money has been spent recently in preparation!

Our patron for the rally this year is Falkland's hero and veteran Simon Weston CBE. Many of us on the rally have memories and connections with Simon, his regiment and of the fate of RFA Sir Galahad and crew.

Our route this year by will be from Dover to Calais, then on to Rouen, Poitiors, Pau, Zaragoza, Benidorm, Malaga and Gibraltar.

For Benidorm, it's fancy dress, having to come as something dressed in "B", I just knew that holding onto that Batman outfit would pay dividends someday!

Apparently, we'll be filmed enroute by the production crew of Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun, although I haven't signed the model release form yet ;-).

Team 37 (me), will, in addition be raising funds for the RNLI.

Too many people are still drowning. More than ever we need the RNLI’s help. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe.

RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline. They’re the lifeboat crews who provide 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. And the RNLI safety teams and educators working tirelessly to stop people getting into trouble in the first place.

Whether it's a penny, or a pound or more, your donations are really appreciated.

I'll keep you posted via Just Giving and other social media channels during the rally.

Thank you so much.

Neil ;-)

Full progress here 😉👍