A LOYAL fan of radio star Chris Evans is revving up to meet her hero along with her vintage car
Nichy Williams became smitten with the1970 VW Karmann Ghiaafter winning it in a prize draw during Comic Relief earlier this year.
Nichy, from the small village of Ponthir in Torfaen, struck the jackpot out of the thousands of hopefuls and a friendship has started to bloom between the former Top Gear host and the officer with Gwent Police.
Nichy and her car, which the family call 'Honeybee' due its yellow and black colouring, will have the honour of opening the event that regularly attracts thousands of visitors.
Although Honeybee is roadworthy and has been venturing around the Ponthir area, the demanding 150-mile journey from South Wales to Bolesworth is considered too much for such a vintage vehicle.
Luckily, North Wales firm Ifor Williams Trailers came to the rescue after Nichy Williams was chosen to have the honour of helping open the radio and TV star’s CarFest North event.
The firm, which has sites in Corwen and Deeside, has provided one of their famous car transporters to take her treasured Honeybee on the 300-mile round trip to the festival.
"Getting the car was all down to Chris' generosity," said Nichy, 49.
"After I won the car I asked if I could thank him, to send him an email or something. The next thing I knew I was appearing on his radio show.
"He is someone I have followed for a long time and have enjoyed listening to.
"But I never thought I would get the chance to chat to him like that. We had such a laugh together.
"When I put the phone down after we'd finished I was in shock. I just couldn't really comprehend what had happened.
"To then be invited to open CarFest was really unbelievable."
CarFest is a leading family fundraising festival and it has helped raise millions of pounds for children's charities.
Nichy and her family will be topping the guest list at CarFest North this weekend and are then due to do likewise at CarFest South in Hampshire in August.
They were also set to grace the new Retro CarFest event, but that was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Nichy, her husband Christian and their son Ellis, 11, can look forward to CarFest North after Ifor Williams Trailers generously offered the use of one of its car transporters to transport Honeybee.
"I really want to express my gratitude to Ifor Williams Trailers for what they are doing," said Nichy.
"I can't thank them enough for their generosity.
"Without them it would have been very difficult for us to take the car to the event.
"I'm really excited about going up there for CarFest.
"I can already feel butterflies about what we will be doing there."
Although Evans has kindly given away his vehicle, he has challenged Nichy and her friends from Ponthir to drive the fundraising bid just a little bit further.
With the draw for the car helping raise in excess of £900,000 for Comic Relief, Evans has laid down the challenge for Nichy to take the final total above the £1 million mark.
This has led to the creation of the Karmillionn challenge, as villagers from Ponthir strive to raise the remaining £96,000 to make it to the magical million.
"We feel very fortunate about what Chris has done," said Nichy.
"For me to spend £10 and to get this car does not really make any sense, so I feel I have to give something back.
"It is a challenge, but one we are determined to complete. This is something that we are in for the long haul and we are determined to raise the money needed.”
Ifor Williams Trailers spokesperson Samantha Williams said: “When the call came through, we were only too pleased to help Nichy transport this wonderful car to the festival.
“Charity fundraising has taken a real battering as a result of the pandemic and Comic Relief will ensure that the additional money raised will be put to very good use.”
Anyone interested in supporting the Karmillionn challenge should visit justgiving.com/fundraising/karmillionn
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