09 July, 2014
Minder, the A-Team, Top Gun, Ghostbusters, the Dukes of Hazzard... it sounds like many people's 1980s TV and film heaven.
These shows and movies added extra lustre to classic car enthusiasts' enjoyment of a 27-vehicle rally through Europe which raised more than £100,000 for a cancer charity.
That is because the 1980s-themed procession included vehicles linked to all these productions.
The ‘80s football star Luther Blissett, who played 14 times for England between 1982 and 1984, also made an appearance on the rally.
Blissett, who catapulted to fame by scoring three goals in his first international, participated in kick-arounds with fellow motorists during planned stopovers on the route.
The star, 56, is a Prostate Cancer UK ambassador. This is the charity which benefited to the tune of £101,209 thanks to the fifth annual rally event, which was arranged by Keyline.
Representatives from the charity and the firm's British offices, customers, and local suppliers convoyed from Northfleet, Kent, via France, then moved on to Holland and Hamburg.
Keyline's marketing director, Stephen Riggens, hailed the rally's "enormous success".
He said the firm is "extremely grateful" in respect of all the donations made, citing the £100,000-plus sum as "incredible".
Mr Riggens said the amount will make a massive difference in helping to continue the ongoing battle with this form of cancer.
He thanked all the event's participants and donors, calling it a "worthwhile" and "very special" adventure.
Mark Bishop is the charity's fundraising director. He led from the front by participating in the rally himself, alongside his boss and co-motorist, Owen Sharp, who is the charity's chief executive.
Mr Bishop said that all drivers and passengers in the charity fleet threw themselves whole-heartedly into the rally.
He thanked all contributors, including Keyline, and said he is looking forward to next year's event. The money is being ploughed into research, information and support.
In addition to the rally, Keyline participated in Movember's moustache-growing antics and it has just signed up with Men United - Prostate Cancer UK's new male-oriented campaign aimed at fighting the disease.
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