Custom car club hands out donations to good causes

Such was the success of this year’s 1066 Cruisers Hot Rod and Custom Car Club show at Catsfield that the Bexhill-based club was able to give out practical help at a ceremony at The Mermaid recently.

The Mermaid is the venue for the club’s monthly meetings and the lunch-time stop-off point for the Saturday cruise which precedes the annual Sunday show.

The club has a long history of aiding good causes as a result of its activities. Last year, it was able to give away £4,000.

This year, cheques for £1,250 each were awaiting representatives of the Sussex Air Ambulance, St Michael’s Hospice, the Agape Trust and the Conquest Hospital’s James Ward.

The chairman Kim Freeman made the presentations in the presence of his wife and fellow committee member Sharon and club treasurer Jason Smith.

Representing St Michael’s Hospice was community fund organiser Julie Brett.

The Conquest Hospital’s cardiac ward was represented by Senior Sister Lizzie Nugent. Lizzie is hoping that the Cruisers’ generosity will help fill a long-felt need.

“One of the things we want to improve is facilities for relatives, who can be called out in the middle of the night. At present we have a little room. What we really need is a reclining chair for the room so that relatives can snatch a little sleep.”

The recession has hit all charities hard. Last week’s snow only added to the difficulties for St Michael’s Hospice, which had to cancel a carol concert which would have featured 14 choirs.

Pat and Pam Chatfield founded the Agape Trust 25 years ago. As parents of a disabled daughter they recognised the need for respite care for families with similar responsibilities.

Pat said: “We are all experiencing difficulties. Our fund-raising is down by 50 per cent. In this economic climate, people are not able to give as they used to give. Companies cannot afford to support charities.

“This money will be so useful. Pam and I are getting to the stage where we cannot cope any more. We would like to have a paid part-timer to develop the Living Room idea and pursue the vision – someone with experience and some spare time. The idea is to support people caring for a disabled person in their own homes.”

Thanking 1066 Cruisers, Pat said: “It’s people like this who give you the encouragement to carry on.”

The Sussex Air Ambulance was not represented.