Chris Thorneycroft-Smith, Managing Director of Iveco UK, presented a cheque for £30,000 to Ronnie Nathan, Variety Club Chief Barker, at Sandown Park’s Variety Club race meeting on August 26.
Mr Thorneycroft-Smith presented the cheque in front of Variety Club supporters Max Bygraves, Eric Sykes, Tom O’Connor and Daniella Lloyd, recently voted Miss Great Britain 2006.
The charitable donation accompanied the delivery of the latest Iveco Daily minibus to the Variety Club; one of over 300 Daily’s now in operation within the charity’s high-profile Sunshine Coaches fleet.
Over the past five years, Iveco Daily minibuses have been individually given to schools with special needs pupils, children’s hospitals and hospices, as well as to organisations striving to improve the quality of life for young people generally.
“The Daily minibuses help to give children the chance to explore places of interest across the country, including trips for education, leisure, sports and fun. They are a lifeline to a brighter future and Iveco is proud to be a supporter of the Variety Club,” said Mr Thorneycroft-Smith.
The fleet comprises both 13 and 17-seater models, each incorporating a sliding side door and twin rear doors for passenger use, as well as a tail-lift for the benefit of disabled passengers.
The vehicle was presented immediately following the 2.35pm Iveco Daily Solario Stakes - the feature race at the Variety Club meeting.