Classic display for petrolheads
MORE than 100 cars will go on display this autumn at a one-off charity event, when private collectors Tanya and Robert Lewis exhibit their outstanding assembly of premier classic, super and hypercars – one of the most unique in the country.
An evening of classic cars and canapes will give guests the opportunity to see rare cars such as a Regera, Gullwing, 500SC and a George Ricard (which took part in the 1903 London to Brighton race).
The event will include an appearance and speech by Perry McCarthy, an ex-F1 driver who was the original ‘Stig’ – the unknown racing driver from BBC’s Top Gear.
Tanya, from Farnham, said: “We started the collection in May 2006 and we set about buying cars as art.
“Car clubs were requesting visits quite quickly around the same time that my brother was admitted to Headley Court having been medevaced out of Sierra Leone.
“I said to Robert that we were missing a trick and we should be offering visits in exchange for donations, which is what we did, raising funds for the then fledgling charity Help for Heroes, and now supporting wonderful charities like Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation (QEF) for disabled people each year.
“We have consequently raised several million over the last 16 years, something which we are both very proud of.”
The evening will include an auction with prizes, and the event has the support of Nicolas Hamilton, an English racing driver who currently competes in the British touring car championship with a specially modified car due to his cerebral palsy.
Money raised from the event will support QEF’s Edward Guinness Appeal, which is aiming to raise £2.7million to fully fund and complete the charity’s state-of-the-art care and rehabilitation centre in Surrey, as well as MERU, which is part of the charity that designs and manufactures specialist equipment for children and young people with disabilities, such as the Travelchair and Bugzi – its mini powered wheelchair.
The care and rehabilitation centre provides life-changing neuro rehabilitation for hundreds of people, supporting them to rebuild their lives after an acquired brain injury, stroke, incomplete spinal injury or other neurological conditions. Since opening in July 2020, the centre has helped people from across the south of England to regain core skills and live as independently as possible, and the charity supports almost 10,000 disabled children and adults across the UK.
The husband and wife’s first buy was a black Mercedes 300SC, bought at auction in Monte Carlo, and now the collection boasts lots of memorabilia as well as the cars. Guests will have the opportunity to see thousands of pieces of Petroliana at one of the most comprehensive collections in the country.
Karen Deacon, the chief executive of QEF, said: “The support from Robert and Tanya has come at a vital time and is much welcomed. The impact of Covid-19 on our funding is still vast and we have worked hard over the past few years to create a sustainable future for the charity, and ensure we can continue to support individuals at a time when they need it more than ever.
“This is a must-attend event for any car lovers out there and, with limited tickets available, we urge everyone to snap them up before they are gone.”
The viewing will take place at a private residence in Churt, near Farnham, on September 8 between 6pm and 8.30pm. Tickets cost £45 for adults and £10 for children and can be bought at https://fundraising.qef.org.uk/event/evening-classic-cars-and-canapés