A PROCESSION of classic cars wound its way through north Hampshire to the beautiful grounds of Highclere Castle in memory of a late local farmer – and the event pulled in the pounds for a good cause that was close to his heart.

The Highclere Classic Car Rally saw 50 classic cars from across the region driven from the Ark Conference Centre, in the grounds of Basingstoke hospital, to the castle in memory of Geoff Saunders, from Baughurst.

Mr Saunders, a popular farmer and Bentley enthusiast, was a staunch supporter of the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, and the event raised more than £30,000 for the good cause.

Mr Saunders donated more than £12,500 to the charity, which is fundraising for a state-of-the-art cancer centre in north Hamp-shire, and since his death in May last year, his family have continued to raise money in his memory.

The rally – organised by Mr Saunders’ widow Cilla, Philippe and Sue Allison, and James and Karen Phillips – began with a presentation by a trustee of the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, Merv Rees, medical director at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who spoke about the proposed cancer centre, which will offer radiotherapy, chemotherapy and complementary therapies.

The cars then travelled in convoy along a 27-mile route through north Hampshire and West Berkshire. The convoy passed through Ramsdell, where Mr Saunders farmed, and the bells rang out as the cars passed St Stephen’s Church, in Baughurst, where he is buried.

Crowds lined the route to clap and cheer on the 150 participants and their cars, which included a Citroen Light 15 Roadster, Ford Model T, Aston Martin Vantage V125, Bentley Continental R, Bristol 406 and the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon’s Rolls Royce Phantom 111.

Lady Carnarvon and Mr Saunders’ widow Cilla and daughter Jackie presented Mr Rees with a cheque for £30,000, and a further £3,440 was raised by a promises auction, administered by local businessman Michael Byng. The Greenham Common Trust, which was represented by Julian May, match funded the sum raised by the event, taking the total to the £30,000 figure.

Mr Rees said: “I feel humbled by such overwhelming support. I know that Geoff Saunders, a great local gentleman, would be extremely touched and very proud of such a wonderful achievement. I would like to thank Cilla Saunders for her support and, of course, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and all the sponsors involved in making this a great day.”

If you would like to know more about the proposed cancer centre, visit arkcancercentrecharity.co.uk.