Rover news

PHIL TUFNELL - THE LONG-DISTANCE ROVER AIMS TO RAISE £250,000 IN 500-MILE CHARITY WALK

Phil Tufnell, the I'm a Celebrity star, came to MG Rover Group's Longbridge headquarters to collect his distance no-object Rover support vehicles in preparation for the npower 500 - a 500-mile walk around the cricket grounds of England in his attempt to raise £250,000 for the charity Macmillan Cancer Relief, which cares for people with cancer.

The former England cricketer - now a team captain on the popular TV game show They Think It's All Over - will be walking to a total of 21 village cricket clubs and six Test Match grounds, starting at Hove in Sussex on Sunday May 16 and finishing 28 days and 500 miles later at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on June 12, the Saturday of the final Test of England's npower series against New Zealand.

Phil is supported by five liveried Rover cars - two Streetwise (the urban on-roader) and three stylish 75 Tourer (estate) vehicles. Rover, as a brand, is celebrating its Centenary in 2004. While Phil is pounding the miles, the Rover cars will be supporting his pursuit in advanced scout and announcement duties as a mobile medical and support vehicle and for en route traffic protection patrol. Some of the Rover cars are being driven by Company employees who volunteered to support this worthwhile cause.

Phil said: 'The npower 500 is going to be my biggest test yet but it's a challenge I'm looking forward to. There are very few of us who are not affected by cancer and I have a very personal connection - I lost my mother to leukaemia and understand the difference that a charity like Macmillan can make to people living with cancer.

'I am really committed to raising as much money as possible knowing that it will help Macmillan Cancer Relief to continue their excellent work.'

Phil follows in the footsteps of cricket legend Ian Botham, whose own walks raised huge amounts for charity. Phil said: 'I've spoken to Ian about the event. He says I'll be in a lot of pain with blisters and so on but he's passed on a few tricks of the trade - including a secret 'rocket fuel' drink to keep me going when it gets really tough.'

Village cricket clubs have already been invited to get involved and many are throwing money-raising parties to welcome Phil as he completes each of the 28 stages.

Phil said: 'It's great to be taking in so many village cricket grounds - and very heartening to know that people are getting behind the npower 500 and looking to raise some money whilst having fun. Happy - but hard - days ahead, I think.'

Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: 'We are delighted that Phil Tufnell is undertaking this personal challenge on behalf of Macmillan. Four in ten people, during their lifetime, will undergo their own challenge of a cancer diagnosis and the need for cancer care services has never been greater. Money raised from the npower 500 will help provide the practical and emotional support which will change the lives of people living with cancer today.'

Steve Robertson, Head of Marketing at MG Rover Group, said: 'We wish Phil every success in his attempt to raise considerable funds for Macmillan and are delighted to provide him with our support with five long-distance Rovers.'