Mates in banger rally to Spain in memory of friend

Dawn Limbu
BBC News, West of England
Jon Smith
BBC News, Gloucestershire
Handout Kevin Paskin is pictured on the left raising a can up to his mouth while he drinks. He is wearing a black t-shirt and dark blue jeans. Simon Lewis is on his right, holding a can up in his hand and smiling at the camera. He is wearing a baclk hoodie and blue jeans.Handout
Kevin Paskin, pictured left, and Simon Lewis, right, are taking part in the British Bangers Rally

Two friends will embark on a 2,000-mile journey (3,220km) from Birmingham, through Europe to Benidorm in an "old banger" in memory of their friend who passed away.

Simon Lewis, 57, from Gloucester, and Kevin Paskin, 53, from Worcester, are taking part in Benidorm Bangers charity road trip rally.

On Sunday, they will set off in a car they bought for £390, driving through five countries in the hope of raising money in memory of their good friend Terry Brazier.

Mr Paskin said: "Terry would have loved it - he was involved in planning the trip from the beginning. His passing was unexpected."

Handout Terry Brazier stands in front of a white HGV with one hand on one hip. He has grey hair and is wearing a black fleece, orange high-vis jacket and a blue collard shirt.Handout
Terry Brazier had been due to join the others on the rally when he died suddenly

Terry Brazier died from a heart attack aged 59 in November.

"He was a very good friend," said Mr Lewis. "We both knew him through work, but also personally as well. We had holidays together."

The trio had met while working at Domestic Appliance Distributions and had known each other for nine years.

They had all planned to take part in the rally for a while before Terry died.

The Benidorm Bangers Rally is a five-day navigational challenge where participants drive from Birmingham, through Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Andorra, and finish off in Benidorm, Spain.

Handout A green and white Alpha Romeo car which has the logo for the company Domestic Appliance Distributors on the hood of the car.Handout
The friends bought a green Alpha Romeo for their "banger"

In order to qualify, cars must cost £500 or less. Mr Lewis and Mr Paskin managed to buy a green Alfa Romeo for £390.

"We've made sure that the car is all safe and that everything is in good order," said Mr Lewis.

"We'll be gentle with it and it should make it."

They are raising money for Mr Brazier's chosen charity, Winston's Wish.

"We're also supporting St Richard's Hospice in Worcester," said Mr Paskin.

"They looked after my partner in her final hours six years ago, so it's a little thank you for that as well.

"We've been really surprised with people's generosity. We set ourselves a target of £1,000 and we're almost at £2,000," Mr Paskin added.

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