Rally Driving Group sets off on North East 250 for three Scottish charities

The North East 250 driving route was launched in November 2017, and takes in Speyside, the Cairngorms, Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, the East Coast and the Moray Coast on the ultimate road trip to the heart of Scotland.

Cannonbawz Run will be the first official group to travel the route, having had an overwhelming response with all 35 spaces filling up straight away and a reserve list being put in place.

The benefiting charities will split the funds raised from entry fees and donations.

The Marfan Association supports those who suffer from Marfan Syndrome, a disorder of connective tissue that can affect the eyes, skeleton, lungs, heart and blood vessels, and their families, as well as providing important education and research into the condition.

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, of which Cannonbawz Run founder Kris O’Neill is a flight paramedic for, currently operates one helicopter, an EC135-T2i and a rapid response vehicle for taking paramedic care to emergencies across Scotland.

As Scotland’s only charity air ambulance, SCAA is funded by the people of Scotland through fundraising events such as that of Cannonbawz Run.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity, supporting serving and former members of the RAF, as well as their partners and dependent children, in a broad range of issues.

Commenting on the event, Guy Macpherson-Grant, Founder of the North East 250, said: 'I’m delighted to welcome Cannonbawz Run to Ballindalloch Castle and the North East 250!

'To have some of these unusual cars on the route will be a great sight to see and it’s all for incredibly worthy causes.

'The North East 250 has been well-received so far and we have lots of people planning their trips. If you’re on the North East 250 this Sunday, look out for the Cannonbawz crew and share your photos and videos with us on social media.

'I wish all the drivers and their passengers a great journey and hope we raise a huge amount for the charities.'

Kris O’Neill, Founder of Cannonbawz Run, said: 'I’d like to thank everyone who’s signed up for the Cannonbawz North East 250 event and the businesses that are hosting us along the way, including Glenshee, The Lecht, Braemar Castle, Fraserburgh Lighthouse Museum, Banff Springs Hotel, Portknockie Fish and Chips, Stew ‘N’ Drew’s Luxury Ice Cream, Coffee At The Kings in Cullen and Cullen Bay Hotel.

'To have such a great response from drivers signing up means a lot to me and to the charities that will benefit.

'The North East 250 is the perfect route to explore with lots of beautiful scenery and interesting roads so I can’t wait to get out there!'

Baz Dale, Director for the RAF Benevolent Fund, commented: 'Local support means a lot to the RAF Benevolent Fund; without it we simply wouldn’t be able to spread awareness of what we do for those in the RAF, past and present, to the public.

'Everyone showing their support through Cannonbawz has been so generous with both their time and efforts, which will help us assist thousands of beneficiaries annually through services ranging from youth programmes to emotional support.

'We really are grateful to them for helping the RAF Family, and look forward to working together in the year ahead!'