NATIONAL motor factor GSF Car Parts and final-mile delivery specialists Delivery Mates are partnering for a unique challenge to raise awareness and money for the automotive industry charity Ben.

A team of six riders from GSF and Delivery Mates will complete a three-day rally on electric motorbikes, visiting 15 GSF branches along the way. The rally will begin at Midpoint, GSF’s National Distribution Centre in Birmingham, and conclude at its Chester Support Office in the north west.

The convoy will be comprised exclusively of electric vehicles, enabling the team to carry out their rally in the most sustainable way.

The team includes GSF Car Parts Divisional Director Simon McMullen, Digital Solutions Manager Mark Strain, Regional Manager Ian Taylor, Poole Branch Manager Trevor Mansfield, Garage Equipment Specialist Nigel Dixon and Delivery Mates CEO Ercilio Oliveira.

Simon said: “We wanted to do something a bit different to raise money and awareness for the fantastic work that the BEN charity does, so this opportunity to travel around our branches with a team of GSF colleagues who are passionate about motorbiking is a brilliant opportunity.

“I’ve known Ercilio for years and as soon as I mentioned this idea to him, he and the Delivery Mates team were fully on board. We’re absolutely delighted to have their support and proud to have them on the team.

“Being able to do this rally using electric vehicles was a big plus for us, as it gives the ride an added element of sustainability and demonstrates our commitment to strengthening GSF’s environmental credentials.”

The route will take in GSF branches in Northamptonshire, Greater London, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Avon, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Ercilio said: “I’m humbled to partner with GSF Car Parts on this exciting challenge to raise awareness and funds for Ben Support for Life. Ben does incredible work supporting people in the automotive industry and I’m honoured to be able to contribute in this way.

“I’m also glad we can do this sustainably using electric motorbikes. I appreciate GSF Car Parts’ support and the opportunity to work with them on this project. I hope this rally succeeds and we can raise a lot of money for Ben.

“I would like to especially thank GSF Car Parts Divisional Director Simon McMullen for his vision and support for this project. His passion for motorcycling and commitment to sustainability inspires us all.”

The rally accompanies a flurry of fundraising for the Ben automotive charity by GSF. Throughout September the business is running a company-wide fitness challenge, before taking part in the annual Bangers4Ben event and fundraising at its Servicesure Autocentre of the Year Awards in October.

The GSF and Delivery Mates team are collecting donations for On the Road for Ben via their Enthuse fundraising page: https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/gsfbenfundraising23