Mini on major charity drive

Masterton car lovers Dave and Sandy Ryan are set to take part in the Great British Car Rally this month in their 1997 Mini Cooper.

The rally, which goes from Auckland to Christchurch and stops off in Masterton on February 20, celebrates the links between Britain and New Zealand and a love of British cars.

Mrs Ryan said she and her husband, who are rally first-timers, wanted to take part in the rally to make use of their Mini Cooper.

"It hardly ever gets used, it just sits in the garage," she said. "There are a lot of Jags apparently.

"I think the Mini will be the minor."

Mrs Ryan bought the Mini in 2001 as a surprise for her husband's birthday.

She said she knew of one other Masterton couple in the rally who would be driving a Jaguar.

Participants will stop over in Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim on the way to Christchurch and will be greeted by a mayoral reception at each stop.

The rally has been organised by the British High Commission and is fundraising for four New Zealand charities - the Starship Foundation, Save the Children Fund, Stepping Stone Trust and the Christchurch City Mission.

The event costs $450 to drive the entire course.