25 July 2005 00:00 Central Networks puts the pedal to the metal for charity

A team of Central Networks employees has raised over £1,000 for charity by driving an classic car 2,500 miles to Barcelona and back in sweltering heat.

Elliot Windmill, Damian Pritchard and Nick Woods, who work at Central Networks’ headquarters near Nottingham East Midlands Airport, drove a classic two-door Audi Coupe across Europe for 10 days to raise funds for the Norman Laud Association, a Birmingham-based charity.

The annual fundraising event - ‘The Monaco Challenge’ - required the team to use a car registered before 1985 which cost less than £250 with MOT and tax.

Elliot said: “We only had one major breakdown when our clutch cable snapped whilst we were leaving Bordeaux.

“Then Damian drove the car clutch-less for 200 miles to Biarritz where we bought a clutch cable that looked similar. With the help of a £3.99 bracket we managed to get back on the road.”

The team’s drive took them through Calais, Le Mans, Bordeaux and Biarritz before crossing the border into northern Spain. After stops in Bilbao and Huesca the trio reached Barcelona, where they took a well earned rest from driving all day long under the scorching sun.

After two days in Barcelona, the team set out on their return journey, through Toulouse and Orleans, and then back into England. Despite their clutch cable mishap, they were awarded the ‘Spirit of the Challenge’ award for managing to get their old car across the finish line.

“When we reached Barcelona it was a real relief to have a rest day and we got to sample some of the best of Barcelona’s nightlife,” said Elliot.

“We had the most fantastic 10 days and we’re delighted to have raised so much money for charity.”

The Norman Laud Association provides respite care and support service for children and young adults with special needs.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
•Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
•Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.


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