More than £15k raised for SSAFA at A Night at the Car Museum

More than 70 guests enjoyed the Thursday, February 29 event in Churt, Surrey, viewing one of the greatest private UK car collections.

Guests enjoyed five halls of displays of classic and modern cars, all under one roof.  The event included a tour of the collection by collector and racing driver Robert Lewis, and an address by SSAFA trustee and chair Sir Simon Bollom.

In his address, Sir Simon Bollom said: “I have been SSAFA chair for nine months and this event is unique, with an unbelievable special collection of cars and people tonight.”

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It was an invaluable experience for car enthusiasts, as they got to explore the museum's collection of famous vehicles from different eras, including cars from Koenigsegg, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Le Mans, Formula 1, and Jaguar. The museum also features a collection of fuel pumps and automotive memorabilia.

The event was organised by "A Driving Force for SSAFA" volunteers Alex and Harriet Wolfe and supported by the generosity of Robert and Tanya Lewis, who have dedicated over two decades to raising funds for military charities and gave access to their museum for the event.

Alex Wolfe, MBA, an early years nursery owner from Southfields, London said: “Growing up you are told not to talk to strangers. At the event, the generosity of strangers donating auction lots, raffle prizes, buying tickets and donations has made it an incredible evening. Robert and Tanya Lewis’ hospitality of opening one of the UK’s great car collections has raised funds for our veterans and given all attendees an unforgettable experience.”

The charity auction included unique lots such as the opportunity to enjoy an Aston Martin Rapide S for a week, dinner at the private members’ club Annabel's in London, being umpired at your tennis club by a grand slam umpire, a day on a motor yacht on the Solent for six people and jumping from the sky with the Red Devils.