Pandemic Patient Auctions Classic Car To Raise Money For The Hospital That Saved His Life
A patient of the current pandemic auctions his classic rally car to raise money for the hospital that saved his life.
A rather nice gesture from Londoner Charles Cook, 72, who was taken ill at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50 year old Volvo endurance rally car will be going under the hammer on Saturday 18 July by Historics Specialist auctioneers. Offered with no reserve the entire winning bid will go to the Haematology Cancer Care charity.
Charles was a long-term patient of University College London Hospital’s Haematology team. Feeling unwell, Charles walked into the hospital feeling unwell, but within 24 hours his condition had deteriorated rapidly that he was moved into the Intensive Care Unit. Hospitalisation lasted for a fortnight and whilst there, Charles was fortunately resuscitated by the team. He subsequently recuperated in isolation at home and has amazingly made a full recovery.
As an expression of his gratitude, the sale of his historic rally car will provide funds for the hospital.
‘If it wasn’t for the skill and care of the UCLH Haematology team and their ICU colleagues, I simply would not be here today’, he said. ‘UCLH is truly a world-class medical institution and I feel very fortunate to have been a patient there.’
He continued: ‘Whoever buys the Volvo at the coming Historics auction will have the satisfaction of knowing that the whole of the price they pay will go towards UCLH’s cutting-edge haematology research.
‘What’s more’, he concluded, ‘they’ll own a very well-prepared rally car with a great history which is ready for further adventures anywhere in the world.’
A patient of the current pandemic auctions his classic rally car to raise money for the hospital that saved his life.
A rather nice gesture from Londoner Charles Cook, 72, who was taken ill at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50 year old Volvo endurance rally car will be going under the hammer on Saturday 18 July by Historics Specialist auctioneers. Offered with no reserve the entire winning bid will go to the Haematology Cancer Care charity.
Charles was a long-term patient of University College London Hospital’s Haematology team. Feeling unwell, Charles walked into the hospital feeling unwell, but within 24 hours his condition had deteriorated rapidly that he was moved into the Intensive Care Unit. Hospitalisation lasted for a fortnight and whilst there, Charles was fortunately resuscitated by the team. He subsequently recuperated in isolation at home and has amazingly made a full recovery.
As an expression of his gratitude, the sale of his historic rally car will provide funds for the hospital.
‘If it wasn’t for the skill and care of the UCLH Haematology team and their ICU colleagues, I simply would not be here today’, he said. ‘UCLH is truly a world-class medical institution and I feel very fortunate to have been a patient there.’
He continued: ‘Whoever buys the Volvo at the coming Historics auction will have the satisfaction of knowing that the whole of the price they pay will go towards UCLH’s cutting-edge haematology research.
‘What’s more’, he concluded, ‘they’ll own a very well-prepared rally car with a great history which is ready for further adventures anywhere in the world.’
Charles successfully completed the 2016 Paris to Peking Motor Challenge in the 1970 Volvo 144. This event is a unique and rather tough endurance rally event. The equivalent of driving nearly halfway round the world. Three years earlier the car finished the same event in an 11th place overall with its previous owner.
Built by Amazon Cars in Suffolk in 2010, the Volvo was strengthened and uprated all-round. This was in preparation to take on one of the toughest historic rally events on earth. Complete with all necessary safety equipment, the car also features many rally spec components. It’s quite different from the original Swedish family car. Volvo made over 520,000 of them during the 8 year lifespan.
Having recently reconditioned by Amazon, the car will go into the Historics at its 10th Anniversary live auction near Datchet, Berks on Saturday 18th July. There are four viewing days in advance of the day and all 150 classic car consignments can be inspected at close quarters. For those unable to attend the auction, bids can be made by telephone and live online. For full information and to register to bid, visit www.historics.co.uk.
Mark Perkins, owner of Historics, concluded: “It’s an honour and a privilege to bring this wonderful car to sale and in so doing, join Charles to help repay University College Hospital London for saving his life. We encourage as many people as possible to register to bid to raise as much money as we possibly can.”
If you would like to donate directly to Haematology Cancer Care can do so at www.justgiving.com/campaign/HCC.
Thanks to Historics for the fantatic images.