Ransomes Jacobsen support Thunderball Rally

Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based turf maintenance equipment manufacturer, has supported a local car club to help raise nearly £1,800 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

This year Dave Ager, a Quality Engineer with Ransomes Jacobsen and a member of Brantham Car Club, organised the rally to raise much-needed funds to support this worthy cause. Ransomes Jacobsen's support funded the organisation and administration of the event.

The Thunderball Rally is not a race, but it demands that the teams complete a round trip to a secret destination in the shortest number of miles using only maps for navigation. This year eight vehicles began the journey from Brantham, on the Essex/Suffolk border, at 1 o'clock in the morning. The drivers were handed a sealed envelope containing their destination - Castell Deudraeth in Portmeirion, the picturesque Italianate village on the Welsh coast, which was made famous as the location for 'The Prisoner' TV series back in the 1960s.

The first car arrived at Portmeirion at 6.50am and by 7.30am all of the 16 drivers and navigators were sitting down enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel.

Commenting on the success of this year's run, Dave Ager said,
"The winning team completed the round trip in 538 miles, abiding at all times by the laws of the road and without using satellite navigation aids. The longest mileage recorded was 598 miles. This year we raised £1,755, making a total of £8,400 raised from the three events we've organised to date. The cheque was presented to Ann Bunyan from EACH at the recent Helmingham Hall Festival of Classics and Sports Cars. It goes without saying that we are very grateful to Ransomes Jacobsen for their support and I would also say a heartfelt thanks to all the individuals who sponsored the cars."

www.ransomesjacobsen.com