Former Fire-fighter to cross Europe in a mini fire engine
NOT many people would believe that a £600 Ford car could be transformed into a mini fire engine.
But that’s exactly what a former firefighter has achieved as he looks to take it on an epic 1,500-
mile journey across Europe. Johnny Smith, Business Fire Safety Manager at County Durham and
Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), is gearing up to take part in the Two Ball Bangers
Rally to raise funds for charity.
The five-day trip will see Johnny, 57, and his wife Julia, 47, set off on Tuesday, August 26 and travel
through France, Germany, Austria, Budapest, Romania, before finishing in Bucharest on Monday,
September 1.
“We are huge Top Gear and Formula One fans so we are really excited about the challenge,”
Johnny said. “You had to buy a vehicle for less than £700 and then we transformed it using six cans
of red spray paint. We even bought a bell for it on e-Bay!
“We have really enjoyed doing up the car and it has been great to see people walking past the
house and taking photos of the car when they see it parked outside.”
Johnny, 57, and Julia, 47, from Lanchester, hope to raise around £1,500 for The Fire Fighters
Charity and Mortgage Advice Bureau from the challenge and will be documenting their journey on
their Facebook page ‘@spot.of.luck’.
“The Fire Fighters Charity is brilliant and helped me in the past,” Johnny said. “It doesn’t just
provide physical care; it also provides mental health services as well to members of the UK’s fire
services and their families. The rally is a great opportunity to give something back to the charity.
“We will be meeting the organisers in Saint Quentin in France at the start of the event and they
will give us a series of tasks to complete along the way – but we don’t know what they are yet!”
Johnny, who will be driving while wearing fire kit on the first and last day of the rally, added: “I
hope we win the best dressed car competition!”
To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/spotofluck?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
