17 April 2019
CarFest, the family festival created by radio presenter Chris Evans, is on a mission to Do More Good and ensure that everyone who attends the festival this year gains a better understanding of where the money goes and how their support can directly help young people across the UK.
As part of their mission, CarFest today introduced five young people who each represent one of the five charity partners who will receive funds from this year’s event. Their stories bring to life the impact that CarFest’s fundraising efforts can have on an individual, highlighting the invaluable work of each of the charity partners selected to receive funds this year.
Nine-year-old Sophie from Dorset represents Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Sophie was 18-months old when she was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer that meant she needed a lifesaving operation which resulted in removing her right eye. Over the years she has had to accept that she is different and the sailing trips with Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust have helped build her confidence enormously.
The money CarFest raises for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust will support 450 young people like Sophie to go on confidence-building sailing and outdoor adventure trips across the UK.
CarFest takes place in two locations across two weekends in July and August respectively, and has been described by the thousands of die-hard fans as ‘the biggest ever village fete’ with a mission to bring the true spirit of family to life. The weekend is packed to the brim with activities for every member of the family, underpinned by great music, celebrity chefs and as the name suggests, plenty of cars! The event was launched in 2012 by Chris Evans to raise funds for BBC Children in Need and will raise money for six UK children’s charities this year.
Over the past six years, CarFest has raised over £13.5 million for BBC Children in Need. This year BBC Children in Need remains in place as CarFest’s principal charity partner and will receive 50% of the total funds raised. Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, Starlight Children’s Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust will each receive 10% of the total funds raised. More details on the charity/charities to benefit from the final 10% will be announced soon.
Sophie said of being selected to represent Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust:
“I was very young when I lost my eye I can’t really remember it, only the bandage around my head. It’s more difficult for me now that I’m older, I feel different and that people are looking at me. I lost my confidence away from my friends and I became shy when I wasn’t with them, I didn’t want to join in.
Learning to sail with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has made such a difference to my life – it really has! I came home feeling different and stronger, my trip gave me so much confidence. I’m really proud to be representing the Trust at CarFest, I wouldn’t have been brave enough to do this in front of everyone a few years ago. I now feel great about doing it - that is what the Trust has done for me! – I even got a ‘Confident’ caterpillar at school last term!
I want people to know how their donations can help children like me. I’m so excited about the festival – I can’t wait to go there! – it sounds EPIC!!”
Chris Evans said of this year’s campaign: “CarFest was created with the primary aim of raising funds for UK children’s charities and this year I wanted to extend our relationship further by also helping some other great charities.
Each of these organisations does such great work, and as you can tell from Aleisha, Sophie, Henry, Oscar and Lauren’s own personal experiences, they directly change young people’s lives, through not just research and treatment, but critically, by providing life-changing support, advice, confidence building activities to give them all the strength and belief to carry on fighting.
CarFest allows members of the public to really #DoMoreGood – simply by joining us for a weekend filled with fun, laughter, great music and a lot of cars!”
Car Fest North takes place at Bolesworth from 23rd – 25th July
CarFest South takes place at Laverstoke Park Farm from 23rd – 25th August
Tickets go on sale at 8am on 1st May 2019.
Full details of the line-up are available on www.carfest.org