More than 20 teams of local businesses left Meadowhall Shopping Centre in a spectacular convoy of colour on a fundraising banger rally through Europe for Sheffield youth homeless charity Roundabout.
The cars set off to their first destination, Brussels, before the teams head down the continent to Monte Carlo in the UK’s first rally to combine old bangers and art.
Each team has purchased a car worth no more than £650 and been paired with artists who have transformed the car bonnets into unique artworks.
Ben Keegan, CEO of Roundabout, said: “This is the biggest project our charity has ever undertaken and we’re excited to be able to participate.
“We’re leaving Sheffield in our Peugeot listening to The Eye of the Tiger, dressed as tigers to match Lisa Maltby’s brilliant design on our bonnet…three tigers driving a car down the motorway and into France will be quite a sight! 
“The event has already raised £55,000 which is incredible and will enable us to support even more young people to help them gain independence and realise their potential.”
Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall, said: “It’s great to see that the departure event was a roaring success and we can’t wait to follow the journey of the 21 teams from Meadowhall to Monte Carlo. Don’t forget, if a certain bonnet has caught your eye, you’ll have the chance to get your hands on it and contribute to a great cause at the charity auction!”
Participating businesses have committed to raise at least £2,000 each for youth homeless charity Roundabout to extend their prevention work across the Sheffield City Region, which aims to reduce the number of young people declaring themselves homeless.
The ground-breaking project delivers highly effective mediation and drop-in advice services, as well as peer education about homelessness in schools, delivered by trained volunteers who have experienced homelessness themselves.
Teams participating in the rally include Plusnet, Hamilton Plant, Whitehornes Estate Agents, DLA Piper, Henry Boot Construction, Horbury Group, SDE Group, Goo Design and Evolution Power Tools.
After leaving Brussels the intrepid adventurers will head through Luxembourg and Strasbourg to Switzerland on day two before the teams attempt to reach Milan via the mountainous St Gotthard’s Pass on day three but not before ticking off Lugano, Lake Como and Monza en route.
Teams will make the final leg of the journey to Monte Carlo on Monday 24 September before heading to the neighbouring city of Nice to celebrate in the evening.
The car bonnets will then be returned to Sheffield to be auctioned during a dinner event at the Mercure Hotel on Saturday 20 October. Tickets for the auction are now on sale and can be purchased by emailing fundraising@roundaboutltd.org or by calling 0114 253 6753.
Photo credit: Ant Oxley
