Wirral Dubs Car Club hold summer event for Clatterbridge

Laura Lovelock and her partner, Darren Ellis, from North Wales, recently took over the running of Wirral Dubs Car Club – a group for VW enthusiasts.

The car club decided to hold a fundraising event for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, in conjunction with Peco Exhaust and Cybox Exhaust on Sunday, August 20. 

They chose Clatterbridge, as many of their club members have links to the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – including 58-year-old Steven Baker from Eastham.

Steven was one of the time trial winners at the event, and said: "I was diagnosed at the start of March with stage four throat and mouth cancer, and from day one, the support from Clatterbridge was amazing. 

"They explained everything really clearly – from how the treatment was going to work, and how harsh it was going be, because of the severity of my condition. They also explained that, because of where the cancer was, that I would lose the use of my mouth and throat, but did say that I’d get support from them.

"From four and a half weeks into my treatment (which was every day for seven weeks), I wasn’t able to eat food and was only able to have supplements through a tube. Clatterbridge were at the end of the phone 24/7 – ready to answer any questions and to help with my fears."

Award winners (Image: Clatterbridge Cancer Centre)

Laura said: "Darren and I were the main organisers of the event – along with Paul Carr, who runs Cybox Exhaust and his partner Dawn Vickersaffe.

"Paul has also received treatment for skin cancer at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

"The car show was won by Steven, who is currently in recovery from treatment at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, so it was lovely that he won by a public vote with his beautiful, fully resorted MK1 Golf Cabriolet."

In the six-hour event they managed to raise over £800 for Clatterbridge, with the help of local car clubs including Sparta Dubs, Cars and Coffee Wirral, and Club Lotus. 

Laura added: "The event could not have taken place without the help of many people volunteering their time, so we would like to thank everyone who made the day possible, in particular Paul Cullen and Mike Lamb for allowing us the use of the premises on the day.  

"We would also like to thank our vendors, EKJ Valeting, Vantastic Welding and Comfy Conversions for donating amazing raffle prizes, and we would also like to thank Paul McGunigall and Simon Hughes for donating tickets to upcoming events, and lastly we would like to thank Paul Carr and his partner Dawn Vickersaffe from Wirral Dubs, and Sharron Cooke from Cars and Coffee Wirral for marshalling the event to guarantee everyone’s safety on the day. 

"We’d like to say a big thank you to Mike Ingham who spent the day at the Derby Pool car park, stamping people’s time trial card.

“The event was captured with the brilliant photography skills of Rich Oldham and Tony Power.

Laura added: "Wirral Dubs are now hoping to host three fundraising events per year in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.  

"As a club, we know how many people are affected by cancer each year in our region, and we’re committed to do all we can to raise funds for our local cancer centre." 

How you can get involved

Elspeth Wilson from Clatterbridge Cancer Charity said: "Thank you so much to Laura, Darren, Paul and everyone at Wirral Dubs Car Club for their brilliant support for the charity. 

"They have helped to raise an incredible amount of money, which will help to fund research, support services and innovations in care at Clatterbridge for those with cancer in our region.  I’d also like to thank everyone who supported their event last month, and can’t wait to hear what they have planned next."

If you’d like to organise your own event in aid of the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity call 0151 556 5566 or visit the charity website for more info: https://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/charity/home.