News

Steam Packet Company supports Italian Job anniversary charity fundraising rally

10/10/2019

50 years on from the iconic original bullion robbery in the 1969 film ‘The Italian Job’ and the fun starts again!

This month, with travel support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Mary and Ian Sims (Team 9), Pete Rothwell and John Tarrant (Team 10), and father and son Richard and Charlie Henthorn (Team 12), who are all from the Isle of Man, will drive three Classic Minis from Douglas to Imola in Northern Italy, where they will meet up with other fellow ‘Jobbers’ from all corners of the globe to take part in a children’s charity fundraising navigational rally.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of this event, 50 years since the original Italian Job film and 60 years since the launch of the Classic Mini back in 1959. Over the last 29 years, the organisers have raised in excess of £2,500,000 for children’s charities – their motto is ‘Raising Money For Children In A Fun Way’.

For 2019, the chosen charity is Buttle UK, an organisation committed to helping and supporting vulnerable children and young people in poverty (www.buttleuk.org/). The organisers are making sure that all funds raised for them by Isle of Man teams will come back to the Island.

Participant Ian Sims explained: 'It’s great to again have the support of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for this adventure, who are providing supported return ferry travel for the three teams. Each team funds their own expenses; all money donated, raised from supporters, and the proceeds of the advertising space on the Minis, will be for the benefit of the charity, meaning 100% will aid vulnerable and underprivileged children and young adults in the Isle of Man.

‘To take part each team commits to raise a minimum of £1,500 for the charity. From previous rallies in 2007, 2009 and 2013 we have raised more than £13,000 so we once again hope to achieve a total that can really help make a difference.’

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘It’s great to see these classic vehicles travelling with us and fundraising for such a worthy cause. We wish them all the best for a successful rally.’

The Italian Job 2019 Anniversary Run will take place over 13 days from 20th October to 2nd November. The Isle of Man teams’ journey can be followed on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IOM-Italian-Job-2019-111253360276150), where there will be regular blog posts, photos and updates.

To follow the whereabouts of Team 9 in real time throughout the challenge, head to www.italianjob.info and check out the live tracker.

Classic cars on the pier in front of the Ben my Chree
The three Manx teams will complete the Italian Job 30th anniversary rally in their Classic Minis