Ben (The Automotive Industry Charity) will be organising fundraising points at pubs along the hallowed route from London to Brighton 

Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first London to Brighton with special support for the automobile industry’s dedicated charity, Ben

Marking the 125th anniversary of the very first Emancipation Run of 1896, this year’s milestone RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (Sunday 7 November) will also be raising awareness and funds for Ben, the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry.

 
Ben too can trace its history back to the dawn of motoring – it was founded in 1905 and originally called the Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund. Recognising the unstoppable rise of the car, the word ‘Motor’ was added the fund’s name in 1908 and by 1924 it had become The Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund. 

 
Over the years various other benevolent funds have been amalgamated into Ben including those of coachbuilders and agricultural engineering and its allied trades, and today the charity offers life-changing support to the 800,000 people who work in the UK automotive sector and their families. 

 
As the Official Charity Partner to the world’s longest running motoring event, Ben will be organising fundraising points at pubs along the hallowed route from London to Brighton and further opportunities will be available for both the public and participants to make much-needed donations.

 
“We are thrilled to have been nominated Official Charity Partner for this prestigious event,” said Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement and Income at Ben. “Our organisations have shared a passion for all things automotive for well over a century, and this event will help us raise awareness and vital funds to ensure no-one in automotive faces life’s toughest challenges alone. When any member of our automotive family is struggling, we all rally to support them and that is something we can all be proud of.”

 
As the organiser of the event, the Royal Automobile Club is delighted to be welcoming Ben (The Automotive Industry Charity) to the RM Sotheby’s Veteran Car Run in such a significant year.

 
“Both the London to Brighton Run and Ben have proud histories stretching right back to the advent of the motor car,” said Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. “The Veteran Car Run celebrates the freedom that self-propelled vehicles have given society, while Ben provides invaluable assistance to those past and present who work within the automotive industries. We look forward to working with Ben and raising funds for the charity”.
 
For more information on the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run can be found on the official website: www.veterancarrun.com.