Publications Officer Pat King and her husband Stephen have survived the Italian Job rally - and raised almost £4,000 for charity.
The Kings joined 57 other vehicles – mostly classic Minis, a few BMW Minis and a Ferrari –and clocked up 3,000km during the annual rally across Italy.
The SOS Children’s Village in Trento was a highlight for Pat. The toys, colouring books, puzzles and crayons donated by colleagues were much appreciated and the older children were thrilled to see the Minis. A highlight for Stephen was driving on the F1 circuit at Monza including the old banking which was an an amazing experience.
Pat comments: ‘The six-day rally was full on. We started timed trials at 8.30am and didn’t get back to our hotel until 6.30pm most nights, but we had some fabulous meals and visits to museums and vineyards. My navigating skills definitely improved after lunch! Despite my having no sense of direction, we came 23rd out of 58 cars.’
The Kings look set to have raised almost £4,000 for Variety, the children’s charity, which provides electric wheelchairs and Sunshine Coaches to help disadvantaged and disabled children in the UK.
Pat says: ‘We couldn’t have done it without the sponsorship from the University’s 50th anniversary team and the generosity of my colleagues at Kent, so thank you very much indeed.’
For more information you can read Pat’s blog. Or see the Kings’ JustGiving page.