Myrtle the Mini – off on her big adventure

On Friday 3rd February Nigel Gooding will set off from The Poacher's Inn, Ide to Rome for the 6 Nations rugby clash between Italy and England. As a rugby fanatic this trip doesn’t seem all that unusual, however there is a twist; Nigel will be driving the 1250 miles in his beloved Mini called Myrtle in a bid to fundraise for ELF and Wooden Spoon.

Myrtle, a 1988 Mini 998c, was completely refurbished in the summer of 2011 and is now fully MOT'd and road ready for her trip to Italy. Nigel said “I have done some stupid things in the past but this must rank as the most eccentric thing I have ever done.  Some people have no spirit of adventure by flying to Rome in 90 minutes when of course the mode of choice is a Classic Mini; 1,250 miles in 6 days.  Frankly I must be bonkers and, in the words in Winston Churchill, although prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it be postponed.  However they are great causes we are raising money for and the benefits we can bring for people in need is frankly worth the pain I am likely to endure and of course there is a Rugby match to be won at the end of the journey.”

“It’s great to see that Nigel has so much support from people locally. The mini looks fantastic and ELF are delighted that Nigel has chosen to support us, best of luck for all those miles down to Rome!” Sarah Shaw – Fundraising and Communications Manager, ELF.

You can follow Nigel and Myrtle by checking out their blog www.myrtlemini.com. Nigel is also on Twitter @MyrtleMini. To show your support of this wonderful challenge you can sponsor Nigel and Myrtle by texting MYRT99 then the amount (£2 or more) to 70070.

Upon their return Nigel will continue to Fundraise for ELF and Wooden Spoon with a variety of fundraising events until the end of the Rugby season – so watch this space or visit the elf website at www.elfcharity.org.uk to find out more!

Photo taken by John Tyrer – Pete Cross (England Rugby Mascot), Myrtle, Tony Stearman (Landlord Poachers Inn, Ide), Nigel Gooding and Sarah Shaw (ELF)