Meet the Red Rose Car Club - motor enthusiasts 'driving real change' for charities across Lancashire
A huge package of food has been delivered today to Preston’s Foxton Centre.
A Lancashire car club is revving up to support local charities this summer.
Red Rose Car Club, which has members and cars of all types from across the county, believes in getting out on the road and using the treasured vehicles to deliver ‘real change for those who need it most’.
The club was founded by Mark Blackwell from Hesketh Bank, who says he is determined ‘not to waste my life’ after a cancer diagnosis 14 years ago.
He was originally told he had six months to live - so went out and bought the TVR he’d always dreamed of. Fortunately, a bone marrow transplant means Mark is still here - and though living with constant pain - says driving his dream is a welcome distraction.
He said: “I nearly died, I’m a walking, talking miracle, and I don’t want to waste my life.”
He added: “I don’t see the point in having cars in the garage, sat there, doing nothing. Get them out on the road, enjoy them and do some good at the same time.”
In the past three years, the club has raised more than £10,000 for Brian House, a Blackpool-based children’s hospice, by teaming up with Sporting Bears Motor Club to offer paid-for ‘dream’ passenger experiences in club cars at Tatton Park’s Classic and Retro Car Revival show.
This year the Red Rose posse - including Mark in his 205mph 1992 TVR Griffith - will be at the show on August 15, raising money for Martin House children’s hospice in Yorkshire.
Mark said: “I ask our members who they would like us to support and we try to search out local charities that need help.”
In 2027, the club will turn its attention to supporting Mawdesley-based children’s charity Rainbow Hub, which provides therapeutic services for children and young people with physical disabilities supports. Members will be carrying out a test run for awareness and funding on August 9, when members drive through Mawdesley and surrounding villages.
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Foxton Centre
This week, the club has delivered £2,500 of food to Preston’s Foxton Centre, arranged with the support of a local Christian food redistribution organisation, which takes short-dated produce from supermarkets.
Mark said he’s keen to support local homeless organisations because of his experiences sofa-surfing as a teenager. He said: “I know what it’s like to have nothing, just the shirt on my back. So I want to help these people and also the disadvantaged children they support.”
Cath Coffey, Foxton chief executive said: “On behalf of everyone at Foxton, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Red Rose Car Club for your continued generosity and support. Your regular donations help us provide opportunities, encouragement, and brighter futures for our young people. Because of your kindness, we are able to put smiles on faces and give children the best possible start in life. Your support truly makes a lasting difference in our community."