Hi All,

Michelle and I have been involved in 4x4 driving for some time and recently became involved with a group of people by the name of BOFA that are involved in raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

One of the events they enter and take part in is “The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge” of which some of the information about the event is below. The sole purpose of the event is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and all of the teams pay their own entry fees as well as their own fuel costs – all of the money raised goes directly to the charity, hopefully via Just Giving thereby adding a further 28%.

We had originally applied to enter the event next year i.e. 2010 and therefore had plenty of time to arrange the fund raising, however as we had applied to enter next year we were placed on the reserve list for this year automatically. Due to unforeseen circumstances someone has had to pull out of the event and we have been drafted in to replace them at very short notice.

I don’t want to go on about the event other than to say it is a “challenge event” and starts on the 6th March and finishes on the 8th March with a drive of up to 1000 miles, some off road and some on road.

In order to donate you can log onto our justgiving page which is http://www.justgiving.com/RWPConsulting and follow the instructions – please remember to click YES to gift aid which will increase your donation by 28%. If you require a receipt either as an individual or as a company then when making the donation via justgiving remember to request one and it will be sent to you via email.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to either RWP Consulting, Russell Pickering or Michelle Campbell and we will make the donation on your behalf. Again, if you require a receipt as an individual or as a company please let us know and we will send one to you.

Many thanks for reading this post and please pass it on to anyone you think will be able to make a donation for this worthy cause, irrespective of whether they know us or not – we know this is a bit cheeky but as previously mentioned its all for a good cause.

Kind regards and many thanks,

Russell & Michelle
RWP Consulting






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The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge
The Event
The 'Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge', or the 'Mac 4x4' or the 'Mac' as it has become known is a ‘Challenge’ – it aims to test navigational skills, observation, on and off road driving ability and endurance; by day and night. Each team consists of two people and it is strongly recommended that both are licensed and insured to drive the vehicle for the event. In simpler terms a weekend of fun covering between 400 and a 1000 road miles with various off road sections en route.
You don't need a challenge truck to take part; any sensibly equipped 4x4 should be up to the event. Initially teams only know where they are starting from, the route being kept top secret till road books are handed out along the way but It does, generally, end in Cheshire.
Teams undertake to raise a minimum sponsorship, currently £600 and ALL sponsorship received goes to Macmillan Cancer Support. Competitors pay for their fuel and sustenance en route. The costs of organising the event are covered by the entry fee. This includes an Award Dinner and hotel accommodation on the final night. Yes, you read correctly - you need to bring a suit or a frock with you on this event. Have a look at the galleries to see what I mean.
The event has a contagious spirit and camaraderie and, although it is a seriously competitive event with trophies for various stages, the main purpose of the Mac 4x4 is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Since the first run in 2002 the total raised to date is £420,000 with the 2008 total currently at £100,000 and still rising.
To find out more pop along to the event forum for a chat!
Background
In May 2000 a group of enthusiasts saw a gap in the 4x4 events programme and decided to introduce a new event to mark the Millennium. The objective being to provide an interesting 'Challenge' for 4x4 owners/addicts/enthusiasts over a weekend somewhere in the UK, whilst supporting a worthy charity.
"The Mac 4x4" was 'born'. After two false starts, in November 2000 because of a petrol blockade and March 2001 due to Foot and Mouth, March 2002 proved to be a case of third time lucky! The event took place but with only 8 teams. Enthusiasm and quality made up for numbers, however and a magnificent £8,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
With a hard core of supporters developing, a website in place getting lots of hits, a healthy forum, supportive items in club and national magazines and the all important word of mouth the event has become well established. From the 8 teams of 2002 the event has grown annually with its spirit of fun, quality and enthusiasm, combined with the mix of offroading, navigation and observation. The number of teams taking part has now reached a self imposed maximum of 60 teams. One constant feature is that every year since the beginning the average sponsorship raised has been over £1,000 per team.
The amount of generous sponsorship has increased year on year. We thought a record had been set by the 52 teams who raised £67,000 in 2006; the year in which, having covered most of the UK already, we took to the high seas and went to Ireland. We were proved wrong however as in 2007 the enthusiasm for raising sponsorship seemed to grow even more with a final, incredible, total of £110,000!
The 2008 Event - All 60 places went in just 9 days, and those that committed to this event were not disappointed when they visited 5 different countries. At the award Dinner the total raised was announced as £75,000, but this has since grown to £100,000 and is still rising! - A final total is expected soon.
The 2009 Event - The applications for 2009 opened on the evening of 15th April 2008 and all 60 places had been taken by the post delivered on Saturday 19th April! Another Mac record. Six more teams whose applications were posted before the weekend have also been admitted but there is now a waiting list.
Publicity for the event got a boost in August when TV presenter Julia Bradbury agreed to take up the role of celebrity driver for the 2009 event.
The proceeds of the fun - which depends on the sponsorship which teams can raise all goes to Macmillan Cancer Support, the country's major charity devoted to the treatment and care of people with cancer and their families. It supports Macmillan's continuing efforts to provide better support services through the well-known Macmillan Nurses, doctors, buildings and patient grants.
All Places the 2009 Mac4x4 have been allocated
but there is a Reserve List Application Form (see the Index)
Please note that whilst most years the event stays within mainland UK on occasions it has crossed the Irish Sea, please ensure that both you and your vehicle are allowed, and covered, to make such a trip.
For any further information please contact:
Peter Rowland on 01981 252954, or by email at pjr@shadeoak.freeserve.co.uk
Peter Rowland
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E-mail Peter Rowland

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________________________________________ "UNDERSTEER" ----is when you hit the fence with the front of the car.
"OVERSTEER" ------is when you hit the fence with the rear of the car.
"HORSEPOWER" ----is how fast you hit the fence.
"TORQUE" -----------is how far you take the fence with you.