Chris Evans says 5-4-3-2-1 to FAB1 Million with Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge

15th April 2013

Broadcaster and confirmed car nut Chris Evans today unveils plans for FAB1 Million, a year-long fundraising campaign with the aim of raising one million pounds for Breast Cancer Care using a bespoke pink Rolls-Royce Ghost a la Thunderbirds.

Host of The Radio 2 breakfast show and The One Show, Evans presses main engine start Thursday 18 April by leading a star-studded point-to-point drive from Land’s End to John O’Groats as FAB1 takes to the road for the first time. There will be key city stops en route as Chris and his co-drivers Gary Barlow, Professor Brian Cox and James May share the driving duties. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the British luxury car marque have gifted the brand new Extended Wheelbase bespoke Rolls-Royce Ghost to Breast Cancer Care for a year. This followed Evans wondering what to do with the iconic FAB1 Lady Penelope Thunderbirds plate, which he's owned for five years, now that it was no longer on a car.

Conceived last December, the FAB1 Million project aims to raise funds by making FAB1 available for hire on a daily basis with every penny raised going to Breast Cancer Care.

Natural Retreats, who operate accommodation, a Storehouse café and an activity and retail centre at John O’Groats will be ensuring the party have a welcome arrival and are encouraging local people to join them and come and show their support.

• Standard charges are £5,000 inc VAT for a standard* day and £7,500 inc VAT for a premium** day supplied with a full tank of fuel and professional chauffeur. FAB1 is ready
to hit the road anywhere its passengers desire to go in the UK.

• There are further premium package options which will be auctioned via the website, whereby the purchaser will secure tickets to an exclusive event as well as their FAB1
chauffeur driven experience. These incredible packages include high profile entertainment and sporting events such as Glorious Goodwood, The Silverstone Grand Prix, The Festival Of Speed, Britain’s Got Talent The Final, The Brit Awards and Royal Ascot.

• FAB1 can be booked by calling the FAB1 Million booking line on 020 7960 3482, or you can find out more information by visiting www.fab1million.co.uk

Additional fundraising activities will allow supporters to enter a competition and have a chance of winning FAB1 for a day by donating £5 to Breast Cancer Care. All you need to do is text FAB to 83222. Text entry to the draw costs 50p, plus the standard network rate. For full prize draw terms & conditions visit www.FAB1million.co.uk

On the morning of the 18 April Chris, Gary, Brian and James will embark on the infamous Land’s End to John O’Groat’s run in FAB1. Along the way making pitstops in Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, to help raise awareness of Breast Cancer Care and let as many people see the car as possible.

After the 833.3 mile launch of the campaign, the car will return back to its temporary London base before going into action full time. FAB1 will be the centrepiece of a FABulous window display in Harrods for a period of one week where FAB1 Million representatives will be on hand to answer any questions and take booking enquiries for the car. Also in the Harrods FAB1 window display will be a very special contribution from Jamie Anderson, the son of legendary Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson. To sit alongside a replica Parker puppet owned by Gerry Anderson, Jamie is unveiling a Chris Evans inspired Parker puppet (kindly sculpted and built by replica puppet builder Duncan Willis of Superpropreplication) created specially to celebrate the campaign.

Every 10 minutes someone in the UK hears the devastating news that they have breast cancer. Every one of those people will need more than medical treatment alone to help them deal with the lasting turmoil of this life-changing disease. FAB1 Million will enable Breast Cancer Care’s specialist nurses and experts to provide free, tailored information and support to anyone affected by breast cancer and help them live with, through and beyond breast cancer.

James Bond has his DB5, Breast Cancer Care now has FAB1. Buckle up, it's time to go for a spin.

Chris Evans says,: “FAB1 Million aims to raise a million pounds for breast cancer. It's as simple as that. You can hire the most famous Rolls-Royce in the world as the icing on the cake to whatever special event you are attending or celebrating knowing that you are donating to a very worthy cause in the process. It's a win win situation. So, if you can, do. FAB1 awaits your mission wherever you are and whatever you're up to. 5-4-3-2-1! FAB1 Million is go!!!”

Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive, Breast Cancer Care said, “FAB1 Million is an incredibly exciting project and we’re grateful to everyone involved in making Chris Evans’ brilliant idea come to life. We can’t wait to see the FAB1 Rolls-Royce on the road and raising funds to ensure that no-one faces breast cancer alone. Funds raised by FAB1Million will enable Breast Cancer Care to provide free information and support to many thousands of people affected by breast cancer. So whether you book the car for a special day or make a donation through the FAB1 text donation line, we hope everyone across the UK will get involved.”

Jolyon Nash, Director of Sales and Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is proud to support the FAB1 Million project and Breast Cancer Care. Our artisans and crafts people have meticulously prepared a very special Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase for the project. The interior hosts hand-embroidered pink ribbons on each headrest, a rear-seat fridge and accents of Blushing Pink leather as well as sumptuous lambswool carpets and FAB1 treadplates.

Door umbrellas feature pink handles and trim, while the exterior is beautifully offset by a silver satin bonnet and finished with an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy to brighten each and every special occasion. I personally express my sincere thanks to all those involved in FAB1 Million; I’m sure that all those supporting such a worthwhile cause will have a memorable event.”

ABOUT BREAST CANCER CARE

Every 10 minutes someone in the UK hears the devastating news that they have breast cancer. Every one of those people will need more than medical treatment alone to help them deal with the lasting turmoil of this life-changing disease.

FAB1 Million will enable Breast Cancer Care’s specialist nurses and experts to provide free, tailored information and support to anyone affected by breast cancer and help them live with, through and beyond breast cancer. This funding has never been needed more. Due to the tough economic climate Breast Cancer Care has had to reduce its services by 37% over the past five years. Thanks to FAB1 Million we will be able to provide improved support services to transform the lives of people with breast cancer today.
 
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and we are the only UK charity offering specialist information and support to anyone affected by it. Our free helpline, website and online forums offer expert information and understanding for everyone dealing with this life-threatening and life-changing disease. Across the UK we offer a range of confidential, face-to-face services for people living with, through and beyond breast cancer, and we campaign for change to make sure everyone, everywhere, receives the best possible breast cancer care, involving people with breast cancer in all that we do.

Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000

Stats and facts about Breast Cancer

How many people get breast cancer?
Every year nearly 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK (that’s the equivalent of 150 people every day or one person every 10 minutes).
There are around 36,000 people living with secondary (incurable) breast cancer in the UK.

How common is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK (around a third of all new cancers diagnosed in women in the UK are breast cancer).
1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
1 in 1,000 men in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime

Who gets breast cancer?
Risk increases with age — eight out of 10 breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over.
Around 9,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 50 every year in the UK.
Men get breast cancer too — every year around 400 men are diagnosed in the UK.

Breast cancer operations
Just over 80% of people diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK have surgery.
Just under half (43%) of women who have surgery for breast cancer have a mastectomy just over half (57%) have breast;conserving surgery.
Among women having a mastectomy for breast cancer in the UK around 11% have an immediate breast reconstruction.

How many people die from breast cancer?
Every year around 11,600 women die from breast cancer in the UK (that’s the equivalent of 32 women every day).
Every year around 75 men die from breast cancer in the UK.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in women (after lung cancer).
Since the 1980s, breast cancer death rates have fallen by more than a third.

How many people survive breast cancer?
More people survive breast cancer than ever before.
More than eight out of 10 (82%) people survive breast cancer beyond five years.
More than three quarters of people survive it beyond 10 years.
Almost two out of three people survive it beyond 20 years.
The earlier the stage at which breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of survival.
More than half a million people are alive in the UK after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

More information on Breast Cancer Care can be found at www.breastcancercare.org.uk

ABOUT NATURAL RETREATS
Natural Retreats offer incredible places to stay in beautiful and secluded locations, with a personal concierge service that is unrivalled.

Guests can also stay at stunning UK locations include the Yorkshire Dales, Llyn Peninsula in Wales, West Highlands in Scotland and Fistral Beach and Trewhiddle in Cornwall.

In 2011, Natural Retreats expanded abroad with beautiful luxury villas in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. Each villa features spacious open-plan living, with a terrace leading onto a private, heated outdoor pool.

Across the pond, Natural Retreats now feature two incredible sites in the US, Virginia Hot Springs and South Fork Lodge in Idaho. South Fork Lodge is widely known as a world-class fishing retreat and Virginia Hot Springs offers outstanding year-round activities including hiking, kayaking and horse-riding in a truly breath-taking location.

For more information on Natural Retreats, its philosophy and selection of properties, please visit www.naturalretreats.com.

ABOUT FAB1 – THE CAR
Ghost Extended Wheelbase

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars present FAB1, a Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase showcasing bespoke elements meticulously designed by Rolls-Royce craftsmen and women to enhance each and every passenger’s special experience throughout project FAB1 Million. Such attention to detail extends throughout this magnificent motor car; FAB1’s key ring alone took 859 stitches and is carefully colour matched to the exquisite blushing pink interior.  
 
The Ghost Extended Wheelbase is a model of outstanding design and unrivalled luxury, with ride and handling credentials underpinned by the best in engineering expertise. Ghost Extended Wheelbase delivers all the poise and dynamism enjoyed by discerning Ghost owners, with the indulgent experience of an extended wheelbase car. It is the very best of both worlds.
 
Ghost Extended Wheelbase was therefore the natural choice for FAB1, where the passenger experience must be appropriate for Lady Penelope herself. Particular attention has been paid to the experience of those in the rear seats; hand veneered picnic tables, 9.2inch LCD screens and a champagne coolbox all create an ambience for absolute luxury. Passengers can relax with a chilled glass of champagne, indulge in a concerto courtesy of a 10-channel amplifier and 16 speakers delivering 600 Watts of surround sound, or simply sink into sumptuous leather seats and lambswool footmats, relaxing into luxurious silence as they journey to destination.

Each Rolls-Royce passes through up to 60 pairs of hands before leaving Goodwood in England. These belong to the skilled craftspeople and technicians who expend 20 days and undertake 2,000 individual operations to create Ghost Extended Wheelbase. The slightest imperfection has no place in a Rolls-Royce interior. Consequently, nine high-grade bull hides are used in each Ghost Extended Wheelbase interior. Leather is drum dyed to ensure colour permeates right through; it is then naturally dried to bring out the grain and deliver a contemporary feel for the car.

FAB1 boasts a bespoke accent leather scheme, featuring both Crème Light and Blushing Pink on selected surfaces. Each leather component is precision cut by laser, then hand-stitched using traditional upholstering techniques before seats and interior panels are personally signed by the craftsperson involved in their creation. FAB1’s leather interior is finished with pink ribbon embroidery on headrests, in tribute to the project’s worthy cause: Breast Cancer Care.
  
More information on Rolls-Royce Motor Cars can be found at
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com