Trio prepare for European car adventure
Sam Newberry is preparing to take on the ‘Screwball Rally’ in a challenge that will see him drive over 1,200 miles in a ‘banger’ to raise money for the hospital that saved his life seven years ago.
Sam, alongside friends Laurie Bennett and Chris McCarthy will be getting behind the wheel of a 1997 Honda Civic, purchased for less than £1,000, when the challenge starts on 19 September.
The trio are raising money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, seven years after Sam’s life was saved thanks to the care of the hospital. Sam said: “Seven years ago, my brother Ryan and I were out having a fun-filled day on motocross bikes when we both hit a large ditch and suffered numerous broken bones.”
Both brothers had broken their backs, and whilst Ryan was airlifted to Hereford Hospital, Sam was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Sam said: “I received incredible medical help. The operation that I had consisted of five bolts and two metal rods being connected to my spine in order to stop any further damage and allow me to heal.”
The surgery was a great success and allowed Sam to leave hospital just two weeks later. Despite the severity of their injuries, both Sam and Ryan made full recoveries.
Sam works as a carpenter, near him home in Hereford, and it was his colleague Laurie who had the idea to enter the Screwball Rally. The rally will see over 100 ‘banger’ cars, which have to be purchased for under £1,000, take on a 1,281 mile journey across Europe in five days.
The team will be setting off from Hereford, before visiting France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland and finishing back in Calais. Speaking of the challenge, Sam said: “We’re all really looking forward to it; I just hope that the car holds up!”
Speaking of his time in hospital, Sam said: “It was a tough period but I really appreciated the care that was given to me whilst in hospital. I thought it was time to give something back and I hope that my story will inspire people to donate to this important cause.”