'Amazing' rally trip by Windsor woman raises £2,000 for Alexander Devine charity

An 'amazing' trip across Europe by a charity fundraiser from Windsor and her family has raised more than £2,000.

Sally Stevens, of St Leonards Road, took part in the Monte Carlo or Bust banger rally event in July in order to raise money for the Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service.

The 50-year-old is the director of fundraising and communications at the charity, set up by Dedworth couple John and Fiona Devine, which aims to raise £5m to build Berkshire's first children's hospice.

Along with her father Bob Newman, 74, and daughter Lizzie, Sally set off in a Vauxhall Monterey bought for under £250 from Saint-Quentin in France on July 17 before making their way through the Champagne region, the Alps, Switzerland, Italy and arriving in Monte Carlo on July 20.

Sally said: "I celebrated my 50th birthday in January and I decided to do the rally instead of having a birthday party.

"It was something I had wanted to do for a long time so I made it a positive spin on reaching 50 and a fantastic way to raise money for and awareness for Alexander Devine."

Competitors in the rally were asked to dress themselves and their car in fancy-dress costumes so Sally and her family chose the theme of 1970 film Kelly's Heroes, with army camouflage and American flags.

A number of challenges were also set up for those taking part in the rally who were given a photograph check list and were encouraged to drive on smaller roads.

Sally said: "It was challenging but the atmosphere and camaraderie was amazing.

"People were more supportive than competitive and the rally took us to some amazing places where I would never have been otherwise.

"I'd like to thank Tony McSweeney of TMM Motors for getting the car ready before the trip."

Visit www.alexanderdevine.org for more information about the charity.