Car show raises £18,500 for charity

Car show raises £18,500 for charity

22 February 2012

THIS year’s annual vintage, classic and sports car show held at Newcastle’s Slieve Donard Hotel was a record breaker, raising £18,500 for Cancer Research UK.

More than 40 vehicles were packed into the hotel’s grand ballroom for the three days of the show at the end of January.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the 101-year old Rolls Royce Silver Ghost owned by Harland and Wolff Chairman, Lord Pirrie, at the time the Titanic was being built.

The appearance of the ‘Titanic Ghost’ at the Newcastle show was the first time the car had returned to Northern Ireland in 85 years.

The money raised for Marie Curie Cancer was handed over by car show organisers during a presentation ceremony at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel on Wednesday evening of last week.

Mr. Martin Cromwell, representing the Classics Charity Committee which organised the Newcastle event, said it was the “busiest and best show in its 18-year history.

“The magnificent Titanic Ghost was a real hit with visitors to the show and caused quite a stir in the media too,” he said.

“It’s terrific that people turned out in such numbers, underlining the great interest and affection we have for vintage and classic cars in Northern Ireland.”

Mr. Cromwell said organisers would like to thank all exhibitors and sponsors, explaining that without their help, the show couldn’t have happened. He also thanked the local media for their support.