A COUPLE are rallying to Benidorm in a bubblegum-pink 2004 Vauxhall Agila.

Jackie and John Simpson, from Ebberston, are taking part in the Benidorm or Bust car banger rally for the British Heart Foundation - and are close to their target of raising £2,000 for the charity.

They are doing it in memory of John’s sister Vivian Rooney, who died of complications following a heart attack in October.

John said: “The devastating part is that Viv didn’t know she had even had a heart attack, let alone a major one that led to her loss of life in hospital only a few days later.

“More needs to be done to raise awareness and funding to recognise and treat such a problem.”

He said that Viv had saved a life while in hospital before she died; she told a family member about her symptoms. A couple of weeks later, the family member had symptoms similar to Viv’s. She was rushed to hospital and got treatment before lasting damage was done.

“We always wanted to do something like this car banger rally but could never find the motivation to actually get on with it, but this gave us the kick on the backside we needed to do something constructive and for a very worthy cause,” John said.

The rally, from June 12 to June 16, leaves from Dover before heading to Tours, Biarritz, Madrid then Benidorm. It take in 1,500 miles and three countries in the four days.

John added: “We would like to thank JB Motors in Malton for their help in getting the car through its MOT and service, Shaun McGannon for the spray job, Parry’s of Pickering for supplying the pink paint, Boolies of Malton for their artwork, and WCF Chandlers fuels for a financial contribution, and last of all Ruth and Mike Farndale for donating the car without which we would have struggled.

“We are covering all trip costs out of our own pocket and every penny we collect goes 100 per cent to the British Heart Foundation. All contributions will be gratefully received. And for everyone who has donated so far and shown support we thank you very much.”

There are sponsor forms and collection buckets at JB Motors in Malton and Station House vets in Welburn, or go to justgiving.com/fundraising/jackie-simpson4