Charity Vintage Car Rally Success

On Sunday 14th May local sight loss charity Dorset Blind Association hosted their annual Classic Car Show at the picturesque setting of Lulworth Castle. This hugely successful and well attended event showcased over 80 classic and sports cars with hundreds of members of the public visiting the show and raising over £3,000 to help the charity maintain the services it provides for blind and partially sighted people across Dorset.

This prestigious event, now in its third year, was kindly sponsored by Imerys and Cre8ive Wisdom and was held at Lulworth courtesy of James Weld DL, who is the charity’s President.

The event was started by Miss Dorset, who sent the cars out on a 30 mile run around the Dorset countryside before returning to Lulworth to display their beautiful motors at the Castle Showground. The event saw hundreds of local supporters, holiday makers and car enthusiasts descend on the Castle throughout the day, creating a real community buzz.

The event, which was open to the public free of charge, had something for all ages to enjoy; a selection of local stalls selling crafts and local produce, entertainment throughout the afternoon from a local choir and musicians, along with a kids area with bouncy castle and face painting plus a visit from the ever popular, Peppa Pig! Attendees enjoyed relaxing in the afternoon sun with a glass of prosecco from The Fizz Tin and a gourmet burger from Dorset Catering Services, who also supplied the refreshments before the Run to the car owners.

James Weld DL, of the Lulworth Estate, said: “The Dorset Blind Association is a charity I am tremendously proud to support, as did my father and grandfather before me. It is fantastic to see their Classic Car event growing year on year and especially as it is shown off in front of our beloved castle. I know how vital the work of the charity is to help blind and partially sighted people across Dorset. The charity’s small number of dedicated staff and large group of volunteers do a wonderful job and I am always very pleased to be able to help in any way I can”

Dorset Blind Association will reach its centenary next year. Despite helping around 1,000 people every month it receives no fixed funding so the charity is extremely grateful for the public support that this event received. The money raised will help to maintain the social and activity clubs which Dorset Blind Association provide across the county and which are critical to helping visually impaired people fight the loneliness and isolation which can so easily affect them. The clubs help to stop blind and partially sighted people from feeling forgotten, cut-off from society and marginalised.

Helena Sinclair, Events Fundraiser at Dorset Blind Association, said: “We are so grateful for the public supporting events like this and through that helping us to maintain our services. We are extremely privileged to be able to continue holding the only Classic Car show at Lulworth Castle and it is very exciting seeing this event grow year on year. We are already looking forward to it being even bigger and better next year, as part of our Centenary celebrations.”

This year, Dorset Blind Association have a busy fundraising events calendar with a huge variety of events. To take part in their second ‘ Bright for Sight Night Run’ at Boscombe seafront in June, go to feelgooddorset.eventbrite.co.uk. Or take a leap of faith and Skydive this September? Contact the fundraising team for more information – 01202 712864 or fundraising@dorsetblind.org.uk