Resounding success for Drive-it Day as donations flood in!
Published: 23/04/2024
What the organisers hope could well turn out to be the best FBHVC National Drive-it Day yet, saw thousands of classic vehicle owners take to the roads on Sunday 21 April.
Participants included Sir Greg Knight MP (pictured), who took to the roads of East Yorkshire on Drive It Day 2024 in one of his Jensen motor cars.
With more than 40 events listed on the Drive-it Day website, there were gatherings in every part of the UK, and many people chose to support charity fundraising for the event's partner, NSPCC's Childline.
Created in 2005 by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), and held each year on a Sunday in April, Drive-it Day is when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public celebrate the 'One Thousand Mile Trial'.
This was an 11-day round-Britain public test, that started on 23 April 1900 to "prove the viability" of the then new-fangled invention - the motor car.
Today, Drive-it Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement, as part of our ongoing campaign to keep transport heritage on UK roads, without restriction.
For those who would still like a souvenir 'rally plaque', sales will remain open until next Monday (29 April) if anyone would like one to decorate their shed/garage etc or as a souvenir. We have sold out of some, and have very limited stocks of the others (down to single figures)! Visit https://www.driveitday.co.uk/
We continued to see sales of plates over the Drive it Day weekend and so far this week.
David Whale, Chairman, FBHVC says: “We are absolutely delighted with the tremendous response this year and thank everyone for their generosity, which means so much and will make a real difference to hundreds of young people that Childline assists every day.”
“Early reports suggest that in many parts of the country the weather was good which always helps, and the huge display of vehicles of all types on the roads was an excellent start to the season. It also raises the profile of historic vehicles in a positive way with the general public.”
“Last year, we raised £51,000 for Childline and it looks like we will be close to a similar figure for this year.
“It is a remarkable demonstration of what the whole movement can achieve when it comes together for a common cause."
Also, the NSPCC Drive-it Day team attended Salon Privé last week, held in Chelsea, London, and were delighted with the support from owners of the display vehicles with £12,000 in donations received.
If anyone wishes to make a straightforward donation (rather than buy a 'rally plaque'), there is a ‘donate now’ button on the website and money goes direct to the NSPCC, which claims Gift Aid, increasing each donation by 25% (e.g. a £10 donation means the NSPCC gets £12.50).
- The orgnaisers have already announced the date for next year’s Drive it Day. It will be on 27 April 2025 (slightly later than usual, to avoid clashing with Easter). Dates for following years are on the ‘events’ section of the Drive it Day website www.driveitday.co.uk
