Grandson to restore classic car for charity in nana's memory

A dedicated grandson has launched a fundraising drive to restore his nana's beloved classic car in her memory - and raise funds for charity.

Connor Binns, 21, of Cromford, has set himself the challenge of renovating the 1965 Volkswagen Beetle and hopes to rent it out as an events car with the proceeds being split between Cancer Research UK and the Breast cancer unit at Derby Hospital.

The law student, who attends the University of Liverpool, said: “My nana, Jane Newsham, was the kindest most amazing person in the world. She was the life and soul of the party.

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“The car was her pride and joy and she used it every day taking my mother and uncle to school. Her loss hit our family hard. She was the glue that bound us together.”

After Jane’s death from breast cancer in 2001 the car was left to fall in to a state of disrepair on a farmyard and now Connor faces a huge task to get the decaying vehicle back in to working order.

The project will include stripping the Beetle’s interior and shell and restoring the engine.

Connor, of Mill Road, said: “We decided to renovate the car first just as a little part time project. I’ve always tried to support cancer charities through donations and then the idea formulated slowly about factoring the charity aspect into the project, with the idea of using the completed project as a mechanism to keep constantly donating to charity.”

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He added: “If through this I am able to prevent another family going through the pain that we have all of the hours of the project will be worth while.

“This is the first time attempting something like this but if it goes well it certainly will not be the last charity project that we undertake.”

Connor and a team of friends have set themselves a year timeline to complete the restoration.

He added: “I have my final exams late May so the project may stall around that time. Anyone who is willing to help or share expertise with us are more than welcome.”

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A fundraising event is set to take place on at The King’s Head in Bonsall on Saturday.

It will include music from local band The Cottage Bluegrass Boys, from 8.45pm and a charity auction at 9.30pm.

Connor has also set up Facebook page @Beetle’n Cancer.

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