Industry charity the Rainy Day Trust is set to receive nearly £78,000 from the Pavestone Rally, which took place in early September.

Following the now proven format of buying a banger for under £500 and then decorating it, the 38 teams from across the home improvement sector set off from Dover through to Nice on a 4-day, 1,300 mile, 10 country adventure. The Rally was organised and massively supported by garden landscape products company Pavestone UK, and the proceeds for the Rally are to be split between the Rainy Day Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Each team was set a target of £1,500 to be raised for the charities, and a trophy would be awarded to the team that raised the most. Amazingly, three teams raised over £10,000 each and while funds are still coming in, the final figure is looking to top £155,000 to share between the two charities.

Rainy Day Trust’s unstoppable CEO Bryan Clover took part in the rally with a fellow charity professional, Justin Macklin (Turn2Us) and commented that the event once again demonstrated what a “fantastic bunch of people” the home improvement industry is.

“Along with the Chairman and Board of Trustees at the Rainy Day Trust,” said Bryan, “I want to publicly thank Aaron Frogley and Pavestone UK for the immense amount of time, energy and hard work that they put into the Rally. The money raised will be invaluable in helping people from our industry who are struggling.

“What really stood out for me was the strength of bond between the teams, the willingness to help other teams whose vehicles were beginning to show the strain and above all, have a great time. The event is certainly gathering momentum.”

The trip included ‘tasks’ being set most days and on the first day alone these included being photographed with a policeman, giving a piggy back to a stranger and seeing how many people you could squeeze into your car. “Apparently, it’s possible to get 12 people into a large Volvo!” says Bryan.

The final day was a 400 mile drive to Nice for the final night and the awards dinner – with a stop at the Casino in Monte Carlo. “At the front of the Casino, Ferrari seemed to be having a show, so the arrival of 38 bangers, liberally decorated – one as a Viking long ship (left) complete with prow and mast! – drew some strange looks”

At the evening’s awards dinner Aaron Frogley from Pavestone presented the winner’s trophy to the BMF/First Event team with Chandlers Building Supplies in a very close second place. The Best Fundraising Team Trophy made by Steve Robinson Glass in St David’s went to the NBG Ninjas for raising over £17,000. Second place went to Thomas Dudley with third place to Lawsons Building Supplies.

To make a donation visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/RainyDayTrustPavestone or text PAVE04 £5 to 70070