Full speed ahead

When it comes to nippy automobiles, members of the Classic Marque Sports Car Club know what can move. Their speed challenge runs on racetracks and hill climbs up and down the country, but the club care about more than just crossing the finish line.

Passionate about doing good things, every three years they choose a charity to support through fundraising activities – and it’s always a cause close to their hearts.

The PHA UK is the latest organisation to benefit from this kindness, and over

£4,000 was raised for us last season alone. The partnership is now entering its second year, with members rallying together in memory of Sandra Walton, who had pulmonary hypertension.

A familiar face at Classic Marque Sports Car Club (CMSCC) events, Sandra shared her husband Nigel’s passion for motorsport and would often accompany him to races. Last year’s total in her honour was a result of merchandise sales, an award presentation dinner, and individual donations from drivers. A generous gift also came from materials and products technology consultancy Lucideon, of which driver Noor Ali is a director.

Raising awareness alongside funds is important to the club. They have a section on their website dedicated to PH and our charity, and branded stickers have been gifted by Nigel for drivers to display on their cars.

CMSCC’s newsletter and social media channels carry regular mentions of our work, and a presentation dinner that kicked off the partnership featured an educational talk about the condition.

Nigel gave a moving speech during the event, and he has kindly allowed us to share an extract here:

“My greatest comfort is to know that I have no regrets and Sandra and I created great memories as we focused on the really important details of having a fulfilling life.

My standing here tonight is definitely a direct result of her positive attitude as she was the (excuse the pun) driving force, and I mean force – as when I thought things were getting too difficult, she would always insist on us continuing to stay involved in motorsport. And when towards the end of the 2019 season she was too ill to come with me, she forced me to come alone; suggesting that I would be letting her down if I didn’t!

Thank you to this great club for making us feel so welcome, she absolutely loved it. And thank you for raising money so that others may enjoy a longer life in the future.”

We are hugely grateful to CMSCC and everyone associated who has supported us during this partnership so far. We’ll be working with the club throughout this year and next, and we are currently exploring opportunities for interested PHA UK members to get involved. Watch this space…

Lucideon, who have supported our charity via the CMSCC fundraising drive, develop new materials for applications as diverse as nuclear reactors and fighter aircraft, to new shampoo formulations and better performing toilet cleaners.