09 July, 2014
A classic car once owned by guitar legend Eric Clapton helped Chris Evans to fulfil a £1 million charity pledge, after its owner responded to a plea for help from the radio DJ.
During last autumn's Children in Need appeal, the BBC Radio 2 DJ auctioned off the chance to drive a series of top classic cars, raising £1 million in the process.
But when, at short notice, one of the vehicles became unavailable to use, the broadcaster asked fellow classic car enthusiast Niall Holden for help and he stepped in to offer his 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4.
Niall, the founder and owner of the VDC Trading cable company, said he was delighted to help the Children in Need appeal when he was approached for help.
The 53-year-old told the Hampshire Chronicle that the only thing he had asked for in return was that the car did not get scratched, something which could have ended up leading to a classic car insurance policy claim.
VDC Trading's Van Damme audio visual and music cabling has been used by a host of top events including the 2012 London Olympics, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and the Glastonbury festival. It is also used at Coldplay's gigs and at the famous Abbey Road music studios, the newspaper reported.
Evans' auction of classic car drives is not the only way he helps the Children in Need appeal.
His CarFest project, which combines live music with fast cars, also raises money for the BBC appeal, with preparations now under way for the latest events in August.
The previous four CarFests have helped generate more than £2 million for Children in Need, attracting more than 200,000 people.
The next two are set to be staged at Cheshire's Oulton Park between August 1 and 3, and at Laverstoke Park Farm near Basingstoke, Hampshire, between August 22 and 24.
Evans said the events promised to offer enthusiasts an exciting mix of live music, fast cars and "fabulous" festival food.
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