VAUXHALL ‘VIVARO VAULT’ HEADS OUT ON HELP FOR HEROES TOUR

■Luton-built ‘Vivaro Vault’ starts out on two-week tour of UK


■17 Vauxhall Retailer fundraisers will be visited for cheque handovers

■Vauxhall’s Help for Heroes fundraising totals over £50,000 in first four months

Vauxhall’s Help for Heroes campaign took to the roads today as its ‘Drive for Heroes’ tour set out from Luton to begin a two-week sortie of the UK collecting funds raised by Vauxhall Retailers.



In April this year, Vauxhall began a two-year support partnership with Help for Heroes, the charity helping servicemen and women who have been wounded in the service of their country. To date, this has included the loan of vehicles to assist Help for Heroes with events and various fundraising activities by Vauxhall, its employees and retailers.



With Vauxhall’s Help for Heroes campaign having raised an impressive total of over £50,000 after just four months of activity, a customised Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive Double Cab 2.0 CDTi has been commissioned to collect cheques representing the 17 largest contributions generated so far by Vauxhall Retailers. Complete with Help for Heroes livery and graphics to summon up images of Fort Knox, the Luton-built van has been transformed into the ‘Vivaro Vault’.



To mark the event, Vauxhall employees gathered outside the Griffin House headquarters to give the Vivaro Vault a rousing send off. Vauxhall Motors’ managing director, Duncan Aldred, Derek Derenalagi, a servicemen who lost both legs in Afghanistan and who has since benefitted from the support of Help for Heroes, and Sarah Walker, Charity of the Year Manager from Help for Heroes were in attendance.



Help for Heroes’ Sarah Walker said: “Vauxhall’s support in these first four months of the partnership has been a real boon for Help for Heroes. Help for Heroes is grateful for all Vauxhall’s assistance, but it is particularly rewarding to see its employees and retailers, from senior management to apprentices, giving up their own free time to help raise funds for this worthwhile cause. On behalf of Help for Heroes and those who benefit from the charity, I extend a big thank you to you all.”



Vauxhall’s Managing Director, Duncan Aldred, said: “Vauxhall has had a strong association with the armed forces, from supplying vehicles during both World Wars to our current support for active servicemen and women. Vauxhall is proud of its employees and retailers who are continuing to support combat personnel through Help for Heroes.”



Those wishing to make a contribution to Vauxhall’s Help for Heroes campaign can do so by logging on to: www.bmycharity.com/vauxhallhelpforheroesgeneralsponsorship



Note to editors:



Following the Drive for Heroes UK tour, Vauxhall will also be hosting around 4,000 visitors at the VXR Power Festival. Taking place at the world famous Silverstone Circuit throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend, activities will include owners’ track sessions and performance laps with professional drivers as well as an action-packed VXR Pro-AM race featuring a number of well known BTCC drivers. Visitors will also be able to test their skills on a purpose built Karting track, watch the amazing Paul Swift VXR Stunt Show and enjoy heritage and motorsport displays.



All proceeds from the VXR Power Festival 2010 will be donated to Help for Heroes. Full details, including event dates and how to take part can be found by visiting www.vxrpowerevents.co.uk.



ENDS



Press contact:

Simon Hucknall

01582 427606

simon.hucknall@gm.com



Press contact:

Debbie Shields

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