Trio take on 'bonkers' 950-mile charity challenge

4 hours ago

Isabella Boneham,West Midlandsand

Vic Minett,BBC CWR presenter

News image — Rosaline Winstone (left) dressed as a flamingo, Debbie Winstone (middle) dressed as Penelope Pitstop, and Rebecca Winstone (right) dressed as the Pink Panther.

Debbie Winstone Rosaline Winstone (left) dressed as a flamingo, Debbie Winstone (middle) dressed as Penelope Pitstop, and Rebecca Winstone (right) dressed as the pink panther. They are stood on the road outside their grey old Honda Civic car that has been spray-painted pink. — Rosaline Winstone (left) dressed as a flamingo, Debbie Winstone (middle) dressed as Penelope Pitstop, and Rebecca Winstone (right) dressed as the Pink Panther.

Three women from Coventry are taking part in a charity road trip, driving 950 miles over five days in an old Honda Civic that has been spray-painted pink.

Debbie Winstone, her sister-in-law Rebecca Winstone, and niece Rosaline Winstone are embarking on the Bangers and Cash Rally challenge, an annual event where teams drive decorated budget vehicles to raise money for causes.

The teams, including the Coventry trio, will be taking on about 10 daily challenges on the journey, which will see them drive, while dressed up, from Chesterfield to Inverness and finishing back down in Whitby.

"It is a great way of making memories and having fun – it is going to be quite bonkers," Debbie Winstone said.

Debbie Winstone A grey Honda Civi parked up on the bend of a street that has been spray-painted pink with pink hearts. On the side of the car spray painted pink it reads 'pink makes everything fabulous'. — The trio's Honda Civic painted by Coventry artist Katie O

The women's old car has been painted by well-known Coventry artist Katie O with flamingos, Penelope Pitstop, and Hello Kitty.

"Pink makes everything fabulous" is written on one side of the vehicle.

The trio are raising money for the Hugs Children's Cancer Charity, with Debbie Winstone telling BBC CWR they had already blown their £2,500 target "out of the water", organising £4,500 so far.

During the rally, beginning on Thursday and ending on Monday 21 September, the trio will be taking on challenges including swimming in a waterfall, doing a cold-water plunge, and eating cheese.

Rebecca Winstone will be dressed as the Pink Panther, Debbie Winstone as Penelope Pitstop, and Rosaline Winstone as a flamingo.

"We will also be visiting Britain's highest pub the Tan Hill Inn, that's if the car can get up there," Debbie Winstone said.

Debbie Winstone Debbie Winstone in the middle, Rosaline Winstone on the left, and Rebecca Winstone on the right. A pink panther statue is beside Rosaline on her left. Debbie is dressed in a pink t-shirt and a pink wig smiling at the camera holding a gold trophy. Rosaline is wearing a white t-shirt and a birght pink wig with love heart sunglasses. Rebecca is wearing a bright pink wing smiling at the camera with love heart glasses and a pink top with black trousers. — Debbie Winstone (middle), Rosaline Winstone (left), and Rebecca Winstone (right) before they set off on their charity car challenge

"We have got a tracker on the car so people know where we are, and we have to send photos of us doing the challenges in as evidence - we will probably bump into other team members doing exactly the same thing as us," she said.

"I turn 60 on Monday and we thought 'what could we do?' and we just thought 'you know what, this will be great'," she added.

She told BBC CWR that for her birthday, she had told friends and family to donate to the fundraiser.

"It is not often we get the three family members altogether – we hope the car makes it," she said.

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