The Checkpoint Charlies were the winners of this year's rally.
The 2025 edition of the Pavestone Rally raised over £214,000 for its chosen charities after five days travelling around northern Europe.
The return of the month of September is typically met by a sigh, but for BMN Publisher Lucyanne Matthews it meant the start of the 2025 Pavestone Rally.
This year's edition of the fundraising event saw 39 teams (of around 250 competitors) driving through Northern Europe over five days, taking in the sights while also trying to figure out how to turn a car into a boat… Each team had to fulfil quirky daily challenges to earn points.
The Pavestone Rally is the largest charity fundraising event in the building materials sector, with the charities of choice for this year being; Teenage Cancer Trust, Variety, Crash and the Lighthouse charity. Collectively the teams taking part in this year's event have raised more than £214,000 (and counting), beating last year's tally of £210,000.
As a team the Checkpoint Charlies, who also chose to support the Rainy Day Trust as their additional charity, have raised more than £11,700 plus Gift Aid contribution for these amazing causes. There is still time to donate!
Matthews' team, known as the Checkpoint Charlies, comprised Samantha Hanks, Trevor Mudd and Peter Saunders. Their second-hand vehicle (as per the rules of the event) was a former stretch-limo funeral vehicle, fondly named Charlie.
Despite an early setback involving faulty brakes, the team quickly made-up time to finally finish in first place and win the rally. BMN is proud to have supported The Checkpoint Charlies in their exploits, watched their amazing adventure across the four days and seen how much money has been raised.
Reflecting back what on she had just been through, Matthews commented: “I was nervous going into the rally as it is quite a challenge each day to reach your checkpoint on time while also ticking off as many challenges to receive as many points as you can, and ensuring that the car makes it to the finish line (not every team made it).
"As a team, we had lots of fun. For me, my performance of My Heart Will Go On, filling in for President Trump at Berlin's famous landmarks, and ensuring that Terry the Turtle was introduced to Tinkerbell, were but some of the highlights.
"The Pavestone Rally will go down as a career highlight. A rewarding adventure to be a part of and something that gives so much back to these amazing charitable causes it supports.
"We would like to thank Rushlift, AKZ Timber, Arbor Forest Products Ltd, MDM Timber Ltd, Stamco Hoppings, NFU Mutual and Arrowsmith & Roberts for their sponsorship and support."
