The Italian Job 2019
This years' Italian Job has proven to be a tremendous success, with 64 teams setting off on a 2-week journey through scenic Europe and raising an incredible £100,000 for Buttle UK's Chances for Children grants.
In a year full of anniversaries, this year’s Italian Job saw a turn out like no other. With the 60th anniversay of the MINI, the 50th anniversay of the original ‘Italian Job’ film, as well as the 30th anniversary of the rally itself, 63 MINIs of every size and colour, and 1 Ford Thames van, set out on an exciting 2-week long adventure from Folkestone to Turin and then back again, all in the name of raising money for children.
The event proved even more special for Buttle UK, as we were able to enter our own car, driven by 6 different teams made up of Buttle UK staff and trustees alongside our fellow Jobbers.
The ‘Jobbers’ journey started with the crossing of the Eurotunnel in Folkestone to Calais, where the first leg of their adventure really began with a 6 hour drive to Nurburg in Germany (see ITV coverage: https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2019-10-17/minis-in-italian-job-car-rally-for-charity/). Over the next week, the teams enjoyed the sights and scenes of a number of beautiful cities on their way to Turin, including Munich, Imola, Pisa and Rome; where they were greeted with a police escort! Sightseeing, however, was not the only thing on the agenda, as the teams tested their driving skills on the famous Monza Circuit as well as the Lingotto roof top test track, before then embarking on their long drive home to the UK.
Once back in the UK, the teams enjoyed a final closing gala dinner together at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. A fantastic evening of sharing stories from their trip and coming together to remember the amazing cause they had all been fundraising for.
Following the success of this year’s rally, next year’s Italian Job hopes to be just as exciting, this time starting in Tuscany before heading to Turin. It promises to be a life-changing experience for not only the participants, but also for all the children for whom the money raised will go to support.
To be a part of this unique fundraising adventure in 2020, please visit the Italian Job website; www.italianjob.com and read more about the event in the ‘AllWays Traveller’ article below.
