A classic car enthusiast from the Mansfield area will complete one of the toughest classic car tours in Europe to help raise £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support this weekend.

Paul Handley and his wife, Roma, are driving 3,000 miles across the UK in their 55 year-old MGB Roadster as part of the Cape to Cape Classic Car Rally alongside 40 other classic cars from as far afield as America.

They took on the challenge in memory of Paul’s cousin, who died from pancreatic cancer two years ago.

Paul said: “I’ve got friends and relatives who have been affected by cancer, including my close cousin.

“She was given just five weeks to live when she was diagnosed. It was really tough.

“In the UK, 1,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed every day. This ghastly statistic means we are all going to be affected at some time by cancer, either personally or by the suffering of those we love or know.

“We wanted to play our part in achieving the £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support. The event is classed as endurance and was a challenge for us and our 55 year-old MGB.”

The rally, which combines driving older cars with raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, was not a race to the finish line but a celebration of classic cars and the bringing together of like-minded enthusiasts.

Paul explained: “The winner of the Cape to Cape is not the team who finishes first, but the crew that raises the most money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Over the years, Cape to Cape has become more than a rally for those who take part. It has become an opportunity to reunite with friends and share our love of all things motor racing. With nearly 40 classic cars arriving into a town at one time, we created quite a spectacle.”

The group set off on their two-week 3,000-mile escapade from Newquay, Cornwall and will return via Cape Cornwall.

Katherine Booth, Macmillan fundraising manger, said: “The support from the entrants, their friends, families, and generous supporters with arranging fundraising events, coffee mornings, auctions, street collections, and donations has been nothing short of brilliant.

“Sadly, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing every year and that means Macmillan’s support for people living with cancer is in more demand than ever. At Macmillan, we know how cancer can affect everything. We’re here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, but we can’t do it without the amazing people who fundraise for us. We cannot thank the entrants and Cape to Cape supporters enough.”

The route took in various points throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and a circular tour of the whole of Ireland.
Rally founder Dennis Greenslade, who lost his wife, Tricia, at the age of 60, to cancer of the oesophagus, added:

“Both Tricia and I felt it was important to raise money for charity with the challenge.”

There is still time to help Paul and Roma, go to https://macmillan-org.enthuse.com/pf/paul-roma-handley

For information, support, or just someone to talk to about cancer, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk