222 OPEN FOR BUSINESS/FREE HOODIES/AND THEN THERE WERE SIX...

Today has been a big day for us all as the JustGiving page officially went live. Lisa's mum and dad gave us some cash to sponsor us, and she put it on the system in their name. The first contribution was on the board. Not long after, there were two, then three. Within an hour, we had over £200 in the coffers!

I'd spoken to brother-in-law Tommy, who was trying to create a link that would auto-fill our suggested amounts when people clicked the donate link, but alas, he couldn't sort it out despite a heroic effort, which even saw him sign up as a JustGiving developer! But it wasn't to be, so we bit the bullet and went live.

I also contacted Lisa Jessup from New Start, who reached out to confirm that she was the new Charity Co-ordinator and to thank us for deciding to raise money for them. She was complimentary about our website and sent links to use when posting on Facebook and Instagram to connect our posts to them and help spread the word.

She also mentioned that they can provide some polo shirts and hoodies with the New Start branding on to help promote the charity. I confirmed that we had decided to wear the polos in Monaco and stood next to our cars, triumphant at having reached the end of the official rally. I also said that a big hoodie would be most welcome when standing outside on the deck of a ferry crossing the Bay of Biscay!

And finally, we have the sixth member of the team officially on board. Matt, Carl's son, is going to take one for the team - literally - by co-driving the Just Please Squint Abarth. He has said that, since he is doing Carl a favour, he isn't chipping in for any costs! You can imagine what Carl said, but he soon laughed it off, as he was always going to pay anyway.

The news apparently didn't go down well with Carl's daughter, who was originally coming with us but was ruled out as she was too young to take part. Apparently, it is all Carl's fault; he should have had her three years earlier!!! She is a case.

It has been a big day indeed. Now there is cash in the pot, there is no backing out (not that we ever would). Time to press on with the preparations as we only have four weeks to go! <gulp>