Warwickshire automotive company in charity drive

A daring duo is about to set off on an adventure to Barcelona in a garish graffiti covered car in the name of charity.

John Beacham and Naomi Baron, of Barford-based Cooper Solutions, are set to make a 1,000-mile journey to Barcelona from Barford in a banger they bought for just £370.

Ahead of the trip the team has decorated the Vauxhall Astra Estate in a 3D graffiti theme in a bid to win the best themed car prize.

The trip, called the Big BEN Rally, is being organised by BEN, the automotive industry’s charity, who work with different companies within the industry to raise money for a variety of causes.

The charity, which has a site in Coventry, provides practical, emotional or financial support to those that need it and day, nursing and residential care across the country for older people.

The pair are raising money and taking packages for underprivileged and disadvantaged children in Barcelona.

Their car has been dubbed The Full Shebang to pay homage to automotive software provider Cooper Solutions’ product range which includes FullAuction, FullCover and FullControl.

At the end of the journey, which will take place between October 13 and 16, the car will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to BEN for distribution to worthy UK causes.

John said: “Naomi and I are really looking forward to the trip and have been keen to go ahead with it from the moment we heard about the rally.

“It is great to be able to do something for a charity which carries out such important work and we are delighted with the support we have received so far from friends, family and colleagues at Cooper Solutions.

“We picked up the car through Cooper Solutions’ online trade car auction site FullAuction and we managed to negotiate with the seller to get the car for about half of the asking price because they had dealt with the charity in the past.

“Hopefully this will mean we raise even more valuable funds when the car is auctioned off at the end of our trip.”

As well as supporting the charity, the duo are collecting second-hand clothes to be donated to needy families through the Spanish Anglican Church in Sabadell.

They are also putting together festive care packages of shoeboxes filled with toys, teddies and treats which will then be delivered via the Salvation Army to families with children who will not receive a Christmas present this year.

To make a donation or to offer support to Naomi and John visit www.justgiving.com/Cooper-Solutions-bbr12