A Bentley, a Ferrari and a Porsche – it may sound like the players’ car park at a Premier League Football Club, but it was in fact the latest test facing the Lloyd’s Charity Challenge teams.
For the second leg of the month-long fundraising event, the Classic Car Challenge saw each of the competing 11 teams given just three days to sell rides in a two hour time slot in one of six highly desirable classic and modern cars.
The teams were provided with a list of cars donated by the Classic Car Club and had to respond as quickly as possible with their preferred car. The Argenta team was quickest and came away with their first choice, the Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino.
Chaucer went for the on-line approach selling three slots for their E-type Jaguar Coupe on UK auction website, ebay. Chaucer’s Patrick Graham said: “We decided to open up the competition to allow people from outside the company to take part. We only had a day to sell the tickets, but managed to get £100 for a single half hour slot.”
Many of the teams including Willis decided to raffle their prize. The winners of Willis’ raffle were Peter Knight and Paul Rogers. “It’s great to take part in an event like this, particularly as the proceeds are going to such a fantastic charity as Coram,” said Peter, who was chauffeured around the City in a red Bentley Arnage.
The 2006 Mustang GT was rather fittingly driven off by the Marketform team, who are representing Coram. CEO and chauffeur for the day, Simon Turner explained: “The car was actually our second choice but it couldn’t have worked out better. We have four of our American investors over in London at the moment and I’m going to drive this Mustang around to our offices so they can get a good look at it.”
The draw of the cars was so strong that some even paid cash there and then just for a ten minute spin.
“I had to have a go in it. It’s a [1968] Porsche 911. It is a dream car to own one day,” said Atrium Underwriting’s Tom Coles, who donated money via Hiscox to FARM-Africa.
James Evans, Director of the Classic Car Club, who donated the six motors free of charge, said: “We get asked a lot to do charity stuff and you cannot say yes to everyone, but we have a lot of club members who are involved in Lloyd’s and it’s nice to be able to do something for them.” On the competitive nature of the competition, James added: “I’ve had all the teams phone me up asking who’s got the most money in. It’s been brilliant to see the competition,” added James.
The team that raised the most money from the classic car event will be revealed at the Lloyd’s Charity Challenge finale on July 8.
