Sir, The committee and helpers of this year’s Wallingford Vehicle Rally and Parade would like to thank each and every one of you who took part or attended our event on Sunday, May 13.

Your support and generosity made this year’s event an even greater success than the last, raising just a few pounds short of a massive £7,000 for SeeSaw and other local charities.

An amazing £1,894 was generated from the bucket collections alone, the rest being raised from the auctions, raffles, tombola and registrations of the cars who took part in the parade through the town before the static show began.

A record-breaking 240 cars assembled at the Wallingford Sports Park in the morning and a convoy, led by Wallingford mayor Colin Dolton, made its way through the town centre, around the bypass and into the Kinecroft in the centre of town. The support of local businesses, charities and traders helped provide entertainment and refreshments throughout the day.

Television presenter and car fanatic Mike Brewer was in attendance and not only commentated during the event, but also held a charity auction later in the day when the top prizes were a visit to the Williams F1 factory and museum, won by Ken Lester; a day out with Mike Brewer at the NEC Car Show, won by local firefighter Richard Crellin; and a trip in a hot-air balloon, won by Elaine Powell.

Local councillor and regular compere Marcus Harris kindly volunteered to be cut out of a car by the local emergency services and provided a blow-by-blow account from the car during the display.

We are already planning for next year’s show, which is pencilled in for Sunday, May 12.

If you would like to help out next year, or even become more involved with the organisation and planning of the event, you can get in touch with us via our website www.wallingfordcarrally.org.uk or by dropping us an email to info@wallingfordcarrally.org.uk The organisers would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous help and continued support to make the event the success it is: Towergate Insurance, Waitrose, Grundon Waste Disposal, Masterfloors, Just Right Marquees. Rowse Honey, Douglas Delabie, Albry Printing, Lesters Estate Agents, Oxford Aerials, Ashley Carter Ltd, LSW Workshop Supplies, Retro Photo and Haynes Car Care.

There will be a cheque presentation at the town hall in June for the charities involved, with more details to follow via our website.

Mark Brett Chairman Wallingford Vehicle Rally and Parade