Cross-sea fundraising trip for converted car
BBCA car has been converted into a seaworthy vessel to raise money for a marine ambulance.
Gary Ward and Paul Phillips plan to take the yellow Daihatsu vehicle from Guernsey to Herm in aid of the Flying Christine III, which is operated by St John Ambulance Guernsey.
The car will be pushed along the seafront from Bulwer Avenue towards Havelet Bay on Sunday before being officially launched by Governor of Guernsey Lt Gen Sir Richard Cripwell ahead of a test spin in the water.
Depending on the tides, the car's maiden voyage from Guernsey to Herm is scheduled to take place on 28 August.
The pair, who both volunteer on the marine ambulance, completed a similar project in 1993 when they converted a vehicle and piloted it to Sark, again to raise money for the re-fit and maintenance of the Flying Christine.
Ward said: "There's not enough words to express how important the Flying Christine is and how passionate we all are about the boat."
Phillips said it had been "quite a long process" to carry out the work on the car, which will be powered by an outboard engine.
"We had this one donated - it was a write-off," Phillips said.
"We removed the engine, moved anything of any weight, filled it with polystyrene and any holes are filled with expanding foam."
Ward added they had taken the car out for several sea trials to check for leaks.
"I think we've finally got there now," he said.
Phillips said fundraising was vital to maintain the Flying Christine and they were also hoping to attract sponsors to ensure its operation long into the future.
He added the journey to Herm would be extra special as it was in memory of former Flying Christine crew member John Vaudin, who died recently.
"He was a long time crew member, and good friend of ours as well," Phillips added.
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