A Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé stopped off in Edinburgh on Sunday 8 June as part of an epic 3,000 mile journey from Miami to Ibiza that promises to raise a six-figure sum for charity.
Rolls-Royce owner, Garreth Wood, founder of the Edinburgh-based Speratus Group, his wife Nicola and school friend William Rhind are taking part in the Gumball 3000 Rally, a star-studded event that sees an array of the world’s most exotic, luxurious and often outlandishly decorated cars cover remarkable distances in just seven days.
Mr and Mrs Wood have taken the opportunity to raise vital funds and awareness for ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’, a charity that has granted the wishes of over 14,500 children suffering from life threatening illnesses since it was founded in 1990.
Throughout their journey they will perform 50 Random Acts of Kindness with Garreth’s company promising to donate £2,000 (Rs. 2.04 lakhs) for every act, the Gumball Foundation will then match the money raised. Every penny of the £200,000 (Rs. 2.04 crore) is committed to sending a group of children and their helpers on a journey to Lapland to meet Father Christmas.
In preparation for the rally, the couple have commissioned a specialist wrapping company to decorate the car in a red chrome and black velvet finish complete with a Scottish flag motif on the boot.
“It’s a great honour to support ‘When you wish upon a Star’. This trip to Lapland promises to create magical memories for children and families dealing with life threatening illnesses,” said Garreth Wood, owner of the ‘Velvet Phantom’. “This journey presents an incredible opportunity to raise vital funds for such a worthy cause. It’s also important to raise awareness; this is why we chose a temporary wrap for the car that is sure to wow the crowds wherever we go! We are incredibly grateful to the Gumball Foundation for agreeing to match our donation allowing us to double the number of children we can take to Lapland at the end of the year.”
