1006 Cruisers' £1,800 generosity to good causes

For the second year in succession, Bexhill-based 1066 Cruisers Hot Rod and Custom Car Club did not enjoy the best of conditions for its optimistically-titled Mid-Summer Picnic at Horns Corner, Catsfield.

The 2007 picnic had to be cancelled because the ground was water-logged. This year's event went ahead and, despite a damp start, proved a resounding success for the small band of hard-working club members.

The club, which draws it membership from across the district, has a proud tradition of supporting good causes.

This year, 600 is being given to each of Demelza James, the Agape Trust and the Sussex Air Ambulance.

Representatives of Agape and the Sussex Air Ambulance were not able to get to Saturday's Cruisers' meeting at The Mermaid on De La Warr Parade.

But local ambassador Paul Ireland was present on behalf of Demelza James to receive the charity's cheque from club vice chairman Paul Dowling and treasurer Jason Smith.

Thanking assembled club members, he explained the care provided by the charity for children who, sadly, are not expected to live to their 20th birthday.

In an operation which costs 3.5m a year to run and involves a total of 700 volunteers, it maintains a hospice at Sittingbourne in Kent plus a home-nursing service in Kent and Sussex.

Locally, its home-nursing service is run from Magham Down, near Hailsham.

Its community nurses go to the homes of sick children where their care not only helps the children but provides vital support for their families.

The charity has just opened a fund-raising shop in Eastbourne, run by volunteers.

Cruisers' chairman Kim Freeman, who was not able to be present, said the club was delighted to be able to continue its policy of supporting good causes while promoting members' love of building and exhibiting hot rods and custom cars.

Members are already at work planning next year's Mid-Summer Picnic.