Hundreds of Volkswagen enthusiasts have helped to raise almost £52,000 for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
VW owners from as far away as Scotland, Wales and Cornwall signed up and paid £25 to take part in Run the Ring, a 117-mile convoy around the M25 in September.
Every penny raised from registration was donated to PAPYRUS.
VW owners Mike and Helen Palmer from Sale in Greater Manchester, who lost their 17-year-old daughter Beth to suicide in March 2020, took part in the event.
“It was a long and incredibly emotional journey for us that weekend but we wouldn’t have missed it.
“To see all those people out there raising money for PAPYRUS and helping to encourage us to talk more openly about suicide is what it’s all about,” said Mike.
It was the fourth year the charity fundraising convoy had been held and event organisers John Emberton and Amanda Culley say they are delighted to have raised a record amount for PAPYRUS.
“The fact that we raised more money than in previous years is made all the more amazing when you consider Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions.
“Enthusiasts who’d not been able to go to car shows were finally able dust off their beloved VW’s and show them off in style.
“Although it was about having fun, everyone who took part was doing something to support the great work PAPYRUS is doing to help save young lives right across the UK,” said John.
Carefully timed starts from each of the four services on the M25 at Cobham, South Mimms, Thurrock and Clacket Lane helped to create the colourful Run the Ring convoy.
The event was broadcast on Vdub Radio, the Volkswagen community’s internet station.
The money raised for PAPYRUS will pay for potentially life-saving calls, texts or emails to the charity’s HOPELINE247 service, support training, help to engage with young people in local communities and support volunteers.
