Ballymena car’s epic journey aids NI Hospice
Thursday, 18 September 2008
What a surprise for Sylvia Rowe on her 70th birthday as she is reunited with her little Fiat car. Included is owner Jim Magill. GB3603D-P
IT'S the little car on a big mission - to raise as much money as it possibly can for Northern Ireland's Children's Hospice!
An old Fiat Panda, originally bought as a 'run-a-round' for a woman in Ballymena, has now travelled the world and raised over £6,000 for the Children's Hospice in the process.
The adventure started five years ago when Sylvia Roe, who lives in the Cambridge area of the town, sold the Panda for £100. She joked that she didn't think the car would make it to the bottom of the street let alone the other side of the planet.
And, just when she thought she got rid of the old banger, it turned up "like a bad penny" on her 70th birthday.
Jim Magill, the Panda's present owner from Carrickfergus, recently brought it back to Ballymena with a framed photograph of all the locations that the motor had visited as a surprise.
Sylvia said that, although she was shocked to see it again, it was "just amazing" that it had stood the test of time as well as mileage.
We're talking some serious mileage too! The Panda made it to Africa in 2005, America in 2006 and Nurburgring and Istanbul in 2007.
“It was a great surprise - not only did I get to learn about the car's fascinating journey but I also found out that he named the car after me!
“I'm quite flattered actually. It's a privilege to be associated with such a worthy cause," she said.
Speaking to the Guardian this week, Jim said: "Our little Panda is now back raising money for the charity in an around Ireland race."
The event, in conjunction with www.scallyrally.co.uk, kicked off on Friday, September 5 from Belfast and was covered by UTV with RPM-Motorsport as well as on SKY TV.
“My self and my co-driver John Eltham, will be taking the panda round Ireland with at least 70 other drivers piloting £100 pound cars for charity," he said.
Even though the car has been on an epic journey, it seems that 'Sylvia' is not done yet.
“We're Going for a Cold One!" added Jim cryptically before telling the Guardian that he plans to take the Panda to the Arctic in 2009.
Other photos on Page 4.
