Italian Job inspiration for intrepid Mini drivers

Inspired by the 1969 film The Italian Job, Dave Cassidy and a group of friends are preparing to take on an epic challenge that will see them drive three Mini Cooper S cars all the way from Cannock in Staffordshire to Fethiye in Turkey.

The challenge will take the cars, one red, one white and one blue, on a 5,000 mile round-trip over the course of 14 days to raise money to support cancer treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and Race for Life Turkey.

The Minis will set off on their journey on Wednesday 1 May, and the team hope to arrive at Abrakebabrah Bar in Hisaronu at 6pm on Sunday 5 May after an epic drive through Europe, stopping in Belgium, Germany and Croatia along the way.

The three Minis certainly look the part

The team, consisting of Dave Cassidy, Gareth Rose, Darren Lee, Anthony Baker and Hugh Lloyd, have been preparing for this trip for months, making sure that their Minis are in perfect condition, ready for the long miles ahead.

As well as receiving a paint-job, the Minis have had plenty of tinkering and have been put through their paces in North Wales to make sure that they were up for the challenge!

The team have chosen to raise money for Ward 621, a specialist chemotherapy ward at QEHB. Dave’s father-in-law, Peter Garnett, has recently received six months of chemotherapy and continues to have regular treatment on the ward.

Dave said: “Thanks to all the staff and doctors on the ward, Peter had fantastic, positive treatment throughout his time there. This is not only for Peter, but our trip will help so many other patients who already visit this ward, or who may have to in the future.”

Ward 621 treats approximately 90 patients every day, and the money raised from this incredible trip will help QEHB Charity to provide ‘added extras’ for every patient treated on the ward.

Speaking of the challenge, Dave said: “We’re all really looking forward to it. It will be tough, with long hours of driving every day but it will be worth it once we get to Turkey!”

Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity, Justine Davy, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Charity I’d like to wish the team the best of luck for their amazing fundraising road trip! It sounds like they’ll all have a great time along the way, and the money that they raise will help us to provide the very best care for our cancer patients here at the hospital.”

If you would like to donate to support Dave and the crew, visit their JustGiving page here.

The adventurers have set up a Facebook page so that you can follow them on their long journey to Turkey and back. Find out more here. Below is the itinerary and route that the Minis will be taking, including some points of interest along the way.

Day 1 – Cannock to Ypres (5 hours driving)
Day 2 – Ypres to the Germany/ Austria Border (10 hours driving)
Day 3 – Berchtesgaden on the border to Slavonski Brod in Croatia (c 9 hours driving)
Day 4 – Croatia to Cannakale in Turkey (13 hours driving)
Day 5 – They Arrive! Cannakale to Hisaronu in Turkey (9 hours driving) They hope to arrive at Abrakebabrah at around 6 pm.
Day 6 to 9 – Holiday and rest in Hisaronu.
Day 10 – Hisaronu to Cannakale in Turkey (9 hours driving)
Day 11 – Canakkale to Igoumenitsa in Greece (8 hours driving)
Day 12 – Greece to Turin in Italy stopping off at the Fiat Factory Hotel where the famous race scene in The Italian Job was filmed.
Day 13 – Turin to St. Bernard’s Pass. A short drive and the opportunity to visit where the opening and closing scene of the film was made.
Day 14 – Late evening arrival back in Cannock.