RALLYING TO THE CAUSE
VINTAGE CAR FANS ARE TAKING TO THE ROAD FOR NORTHWEST CHARITIES
TAKING to the open road has taken on a whole new level of fulfilment for an ever- growing number of people in the North West.
They’re vintage car fans. And they’re raising thousands for local charities.
What started five years ago as little more than a dozen vintage car lovers in 2009 has swelled to over 204 members today, from as young as 3 years of age to 70’ s and beyond.
The appeal of the vintage car has always been obvious - who doesn’t stop and wave at a cavalcade of beautifully restored vintage cars tootling along on a sunny Sunday afternoon?
Chairman of Northwest Vintage & Heritage Club Tommy Flynn agrees and knew he was on to a winner. The club organises ‘ runs’, inviting club members and people from all over Ireland to join them with all proceeds going to charity.
“We have grown steadily. We had 15 members then, 204 today. We’re growing every year,” says Tommy. “There’s huge interest in classic cars,” he said. Members come from across the North Western counties and Fermanagh and Tyrone.
The club nominates two charities each November. This year it’s Chernobyl Children’s charity and Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
On June 11th they’re holding a local scenic run and raffle in aid of Crumlin.
The club keeps nothing and have raised over 63,000 since 2012. “We should have over ¤ 4,500 for each charity this year,” says Tommy.
“We’re a small club but we’re up there with the biggest in the country in Dublin and Cork,” he adds. The Belmullet native is a retired Garda whose love for vintage cars stems from his own father.
“He got me hooked with his Wolsleys 1500. He’d bring me for a spin in it around Belmullet,” he recalls.
That was when vintage car clubs were back in their infancy.
He drives a 1978 model MG Roadster himself and had a 1971 Rover 3.5 V8 and 1980 Mark 1 Fiesta before that. “I restore them myself. I’m into vintage cars all my life. I’ve been buying car magazines and classic car magazines like a fool,” he smiles.
“There’s a great social scene with the club. We all share the same interest. We meet on the first Thursday of every month in Manorhamilton at 9pm,” says Tommy.
It’s not just ‘ vintage’ fans either - many teenagers are involved and the club fosters an appreciation of motor cars in them.
“They learn how to service and maintain them later in life. It’s about respecting cars and what they can do and knowing your own limitations,” adds Tommy.
They’re now planning a ‘ Ball Bearing’ Run ( a smaller version of the Cannonball run) on July 15th across nine counties.
ILOVE RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY THERE’S A REAL BUZZ. YOU MEET WITH FRIENDS AND YOU MAKE GOOD FRIENDS.