Benidorm or bust ...
Adventurous pals head off on car rally to Spanish holiday hotspot to raise money for Alzheimer charity
Three East Kilbride friends with a taste for adventure have set off in a banger across Europe for a cause close to their hearts.
Madcap trio Sandra Millar, Johnny McKay and Raymond Kerr signed up for the popular ‘Benidorm or Bust’ car rally in the hope that their trusty old, clapped-out Renault Scenic will make the journey.
This is the first road trip for the pals who met in the Murray Bar, and will see the trio travel across Europe for six days in aid of Alzheimer Scotland.
The charity means a lot to the team after Sandra’s 88-year-old mum, Ellen Gilles, passed away from the illness on December 23 last year.
The motor-mad friends set off on Monday to travel to Dover for the ferry to Calais where they will meet with the 48 other cars which are also taking part.
From there they will head to Rouen, Poitiers and Pau in France, into Zaragoza, Spain, on the fifth day before arriving in Benidorm on day six with challenges and prizes along the way.
Sandra told the News: “We’ve painted a very old gold Scenic bright yellow with black stickers and lettering and even added eyelashes.
“We were initially supposed to do the rally in 2020, but it was put off due to Covid.
“We’ve spent £500 on the car to make it roadworthy so hopefully it will make it.”
Sandra added: “My mum passed
away at the grand age of 88 and had Alzheimer’s for 10 years so this is why I wanted Alzheimer Scotland to be our chosen charity.
“It’s a fantastic charity that helped me at the time.
“My mum and dad loved travelling and she loved France and Spain so this is an opportunity to see some of her beloved countries – a wee homage to my mum.
“We’re planning a break after the rally – we might even be going to Seville!”
Vehicles participating in the rally should be worth no more than £500, but competitors can make any modifications they like to their
bangers. Teams are awarded points and the winners receive a trophy.
Every year each team has to raise a minimum of £500 and the team have already surpassed that amount before getting behind the wheel.
Johnny, who runs a local car garage in Nerston, said: “This has always been on my bucket list and now I finally get to cross it off my list.”
Raymond added: “I have always loved old cars.
“I’m looking forward to see how people have decorated them and if they get there.”
Follow their adventure on Facebook at Beni Onestepbehind where you will find the link to donate to their cause.