A CONVOY of super cars will embark on a tour of the north west this weekend as part of the first ever Bear Run 74.
Forty high end vehicles, including several American muscle cars, will hit the road on Saturday morning for the two day event organised by Keith ‘Bear’ Gamble who owns Joe Soap’s Car Wash in Lifford.
Set to benefit from the showcase is the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, the chosen charity of Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Graham Warke.
Bear Gamble told the Donegal News how he came up with the idea following the death last year of his father Joe.
“I set up the trip in memory of my late father who passed away nine months ago from cancer,” said the businessman.
“The aim is to raise money for charity while also showing local people some of the best cars on the road. My last car show was in Lifford on September 5 when we raised €10,000 for Donegal Hospice. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along on Saturday for what is going to be a great event and a unique opportunity to get up close to some very impressive vehicles.”
The Bear Run begins at Applegreen in Lifford at 9am on Saturday with what is shaping up to be a cracking launch event. On display will be Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, Ferraris, Corvettes, a Bentley, a stunning Audi R8 to name just a few. The organisers also have a surprise up their sleeve while in attendance will be honorary Garda Jack Beattie and Rocco McGinley, the Inishowen schoolboy in whose name tens of thousands of euros have been raised.
After departing Lifford, participants will head for City of Derry Airport for a private function at 11am. After that the motorcade is scheduled to arrive at Applegreen Carndonagh at 2pm. From there it will travel via Buncrana to the Wild Ireland animal sanctuary in Burnfoot at 4pm before finishing the day in Downings at 6.30pm.
On Sunday morning drivers will begin at Downings at 10.30am before a photo stop at the Poisoned Glen and lunch in Mr Chippie, Mountain Top, Letterkenny, at 12.30pm.
They will be at Halfway Karting at 2.30pm before finishing back in Downings at 6.30pm.
To date Joe Soap’s Car Wash has raised €36,440 for ten different charities. Mayor Warke said he was thrilled at the decision by the Bear Run organisers to support his chosen charity.
This mint condition Ferrari 812 will be among the vehicles making the Bear Run 74. It is going to be a cracking couple of days for fans of super cars.
“On behalf of the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust I would like to thank everyone at The Bear Run 74 for choosing my charity to be the beneficiaries of this exciting event and to Applegreen who are generously sponsoring the fuel,” Cllr Warke said.
“I’ve attended some of the previous events and some of the vehicles on show have been breathtaking. If you are interested in cars this is a brilliant opportunity to see some of the best cars in the world so I’d encourage you to get involved.
“The last event in Lifford in September raised over €10,000 for the Donegal Hospice which is a phenomenal amount of money for one day. I’d appreciate if those in attendance this weekend can donate what they can and there is an option to donate online.”
The Bear Run is sponsored by Applegreen and collection buckets will be available at each location to enable the public to donate.
“I have to thank Applegreen for coming on board as the main sponsor. Many others have got behind the Bear Run too in terms of sponsorship and we are very grateful. You all know who you are and thank you so much,” said Bear Gamble.
• You can get updates and further information about the Bear Run 74 on the Facebook page of the same name.
Donations to the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust can be made at derrystrabane.com/mayor.
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