Festive MINI Electric embarks on charity tour, raising money for Duchenne UK
A MINI Electric wrapped in 2,000 smart Twinkly LED lights is starting a five-week tour to spread festive cheer and raise money for Duchenne UK alongside the MS Trust and Alzheimer’s Society.
Lighting the way after the Festive MINI Electric’s first public appearance at The Lexicon Bracknell in Berkshire, on the 25th November, the car will travel to various locations around the UK, driven by project creator Nicholas ‘Nico’ Martin. The sen-sleigh-tional project first started over three years ago, with Nico hand-wrapping his MINI in fairy-lights and displaying it in his local town of Bracknell.
However, in December 2020, without the usual Christmas switch-on displays delivering much-needed festive spirit, Nico realised he could use the Festive MINI to bring joy and positivity to people on their own doorsteps, whilst also raising awareness and over £5000 for the MS Trust and Duchenne UK, two charities very close to his heart.
Nico said, “I’m so pleased to be back with the Festive MINI charity tour. I just knew last year I had an opportunity to cheer people up and also to raise funds for the MS Trust and Duchenne UK. Both charities mean a lot to me – unfortunately my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis six years ago, and in 2019 I was asked to take the Festive MINI to surprise an incredible young boy, Marcus Rooks, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. When I saw his face light up with so much joy and excitement, I realised that I had created something truly special. Ever since meeting him and learning about his condition, I’ve wanted to support him in any way I can.”
This year, Nico has introduced a guest charity spot taken up by Alzheimer’s Society and he has rallied support from MINI UK, Festive Lights and Italian smart lighting company Twinkly, to up the voltage on his project and make it bigger and better than ever, with an aim of raising as much money as possible for the three special causes.
Nico added: “I’m so grateful for the incredible support behind the project and the teams involved this year. The MINI Electric is even more exciting to drive and means all my trips on the tour are environmentally friendly and the app-controlled Twinkly lights with their amazing customisable animations really give the car a bit of extra magic. I can’t wait to get out on the road to spread some Festive MINI spirit and raise lots of money for the three charities!”
David George, Director, MINI UK said, “We’re extremely humbled to be a part of Nico’s fundraising project with the Festive MINI Electric. It’s a wonderful idea that will bring people together, make them smile, and also raise funds for some amazing charities.”
For more information on the Festive MINI Tour and to keep updated on where it’s headed visit www.festivemini.com
You can donate here and follow Nico’s journey on Instagram: @drivingwithnico
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2020 was € 5.222 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.
www.bmwgroup.com
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
About Twinkly
Ledworks is an Italian startup whose mission is to bring digital innovation to the world of consumer and professional lighting. Ledworks is the creator of Twinkly Smart Decor - a product suite of lighting with many innovative features that can be controlled via a smartphone app. Twinkly's innovative and customizable LED lights offer unlimited combinations of colors and patterns, giving consumers the ability to customize their holiday and home decorations right from their smartphone.
www.twinkly.com
About Festive Lights
Festive Lights was established in 1999. We have over 20 years of lighting experience, with the knowledge, expertise and product ranges to make sure our customers have everything they need to bring every event to light! Over the past two decades, we have polished our products and services to perfection, from tailored quotes to bespoke products, for installations of every size.
https://www.festive-lights.com/
About the MS Trust
The MS Trust is a charity which works to make a difference today for the 130,000 people living with MS in the UK.
We produce practical, reliable information, online and in print, and offer a telephone and email enquiry service to anyone who needs to know more about MS.
We fight to make sure everyone affected by MS can access good quality, specialist care. We offer a full range of support to both specialists and health professionals with an interest in MS, including online information, publications, newsletters and professional development. We work in partnership with health professionals to improve MS services now and in the future, and we fund MS specialist nurses in the areas of greatest need.
https://mstrust.org.uk/
About Duchenne UK
Duchenne UK is the leading muscular dystrophy charity in the UK. We take an innovative and sharply focused approach to fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy from every angle.
This involves three key areas of work: funding groundbreaking medical research, accelerating access to treatments, and ensuring everyone in the DMD community is given the care and support they need.
https://www.duchenneuk.org/
About Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/