Over £8000 raised for Cancer Care Unit

Pictured: Lauren Gedney Waving the checkered flag while, from left  Margaret Carter, Laurence Morlaàs, Rob Gymer, Paul Butler and Graham Robinson of Trackstar.

The following was released by the Media Hub of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here

BANGER00 RACERS CRASH FOR CANCER RAISING MORE THAN £8,000
 
Banger drivers ‘Crashing for Cancer’ raised £8,342.06 for Macmillan Cancer Care and Treatment Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. 
 
Mick Gedney, a veteran banger driver, set his sights on organising one of the largest meetings of the year and more than 60 competitors took part in Trackstar’s event at the  Adrian Flux Arena on August 29.
 
The day also involved other formulas of racing such as a national Reliant Robin final and team racing for the banger drivers. 
 
Earlier this week, Mr Gedney’s daughter Laura, along with other representatives from Trackstar presented the cheque to the QEH.
 
Miss Gedney said: “We have raised more money than we had expected. When we started we thought we would raise a couple of thousand so to get to £8,000 is terrific. I would like to thank my dad for coming up with the idea, his family and the people who baked cakes. I’d also like to thank Trackstar for letting us use their event.”
 
Paul Butler from Trackstar was also thrilled with the amount raised. He said: “It was a fantastic meeting and we were very pleased to be involved with it all.”
 
The racers are not taking their foot off the fundraising pedal by holding another event later this month. 
 
A Halloween themed meeting will be held on Saturday, October 29, with money being split between the hospital and the Rocking Horse charity in Sussex. 
 
Attractions include a £6,000 firework display plus local drivers have been challenged by The Brighton Bears. 
 
Families are encouraged to wear fancy dress to the event, which will also include the Great British Banger Bake-Off. The fun starts from 5.30pm.
 
Organisers are hoping local businesses will support the Halloween fundraising by sponsoring a race, donating raffle prizes or baking Halloween themed cakes which will be sold for the charities. To sponsor a race contact 01553 771111 or contact Mick Gedney on 07766228504 for raffle prizes. 
 
Tickets to the event cost £16 for adults, £13 for OAPS and £6 juniors. A family ticket is £42.
 
Laurence Morlaàs, fundraising executive of the QEH, said: “This amazingly successful fundraising event was instigated by members of the Gedney family, in particular Mick and his daughter, Laura as a tribute to a father and grandfather who sadly died of cancer three years ago.  Mick even managed to get several drivers, including himself, out of retirement in support of our Cancer Care & Treatment Centre.”
 
“We are extremely appreciative of all the hard work they put in as well as Trackstar and the other helpers and supporters. A huge thank you to all the people and businesses who got involved to help our patients.”
 
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