A British cruise ship sommelier is poised to set off on a 1,100-mile charity drive to the Monaco Grand Prix in his VW Beetle called Herbie.
Al Clinton, who works in the Glass House wine bar and restaurant on P&O Cruises’ Azura, hopes to raise £53,000 for Liverpool-based children’s hospice Claire House.
Setting off on May 26 from Merseyside, the ten day round trip will see Clinton, a co-driver and a technical back-up team travel via London before crossing the English Channel to Paris and then on through France to Monte Carlo.
The challenge, which is being filmed for a TV documentary, involves fund-raising events en-route including a London auction at the Classic Car Club hosted by TV wine expert Olly Smith on May 27, a London dinner at Benares restaurant hosted by celebrity chef Atul Kochhar on June 4, and a Liverpool dinner at Marco Pierre White’s restaurant on June 7.
Clinton, who has spent three years planning for the challenge, sourced an original 1963 Beetle and had it meticulously restored by experts in the US.
The car features a powerful Porsche engine, identical to the one used in the original Herbie films.
The car also features Herbie’s original race number, 53, on its bonnet, which provided the inspiration for the £53,000 fundraising target.
Clinton said: “The opportunity to drive Herbie back to Monte Carlo is something I have wanted to do since I was a child. As a Liverpudlian I chose Claire House to be the recipient of our fund-raising.
“Claire House is a remarkable place and this challenge has provided a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and much needed funds for the hospice so that it can continue to provide invaluable care and support for the 160 children and their families who visit the hospice each year.”
To make a donation please visit http://www.justgiving.com/al-clinton0