Two well known Helston business families want your Money, Money, Money for charity after taking part in the Cornwall Banger Rally Challenge while dressed as Swedish pop group ABBA.
Adam and Sarah Corbridge, of Wearnes Jewellers and owners of Lismore House, together with Chris and Julia Dale of Dales Butchers, spent a week travelling from Charlestown in Cornwall to the finish line in Split, Croatia.
Now in its 11th year, this year’s challenge had the theme ‘Split or Bust’, with more than 50 cars taking part – each fitting the criteria of either being more than 15 years old or costing under £1,000 to buy.
With the promise of ‘seven countries in seven days’, the Super Troupers had to carry out a series of challenges along the way – or risk a forfeit.
It took them across the Cornish border through England and then onto France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia.
Sarah said: “It was the funniest thing we have done in years – and to make a bit of money for charity at the same time was even better.”
Each of the four chose a charity to support and the funds raised will be split equally between Cornwall Air Ambulance, the RNLI, Cornwall Leukaemia Trust and BF Adventure.
So far they have raised just over £3,500, including £1,000 in cash collected on their travels and a further £2,575 through their JustGiving page, www.justgiving.com/team/adams-cornwall-banger-rally-challenge
Money can still be left both online and in cash, which can be dropped into either Wearnes or Dales in an envelope. They hope to be able to reach the £4,000 mark, in order to give each charity £1,000.
While fundraising was the Name of the Game, that didn’t stop the quartet having some fun along the way still.
Challenges included completing a pit stop at Reims-Gueux racing circuit in France, going up the steepest cogwheel railway in Switzerland whilst singing a song about trains, and finding the most famous cheese in Lake Como in order to film themselves eating it with the most appropriate accompaniment.
Sarah and Adam agreed that one of the standout moments for them was in Venice, when tourists of all nationalities were stopping them to take pictures of four in their outfits and sing Mama Mia to them.
“The reception from people was just amazing – people were just so enthusiastic to help,” added Sarah.
Not everything went completely according to plan, however, and at one point they almost had to send out an SOS after missing their check point.
“We were enjoying a good time in Venice, being such a beautiful place, that we missed our evening connection with the rest of the teams,” Sarah recalled.
“We ended up having to stay in a hotel and pay a forfeit and fine the next day.
“We had to sing an ABBA song in front of the whole group of competitors, and pay a 50 euro fine to the charities out of own pockets!”
Both couples paid the entry fee themselves too, in order to ensure every penny raised goes to the charities.
They would like to thank Paul at Peninsula Signs for wrapping the car with the charity’s names and logos free of charge.
Adam added of the trip: “The whole thing is very well organised and a lot of work goes into it. From our team, ABBA, we’d like to thank the organisers of the challenge.”
The next Cornwall Banger Rally Challenge will take place on September 21, 2025 with the theme ‘Vienna or Bust’.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here