Lookers Volkswagen Van Centres across Newcastle have been helping twin innovators, Jonathan and David, behind the Six Times Open campaign to ‘Fight for every heartbeat’ in their fundraising for the British Heart Foundation.
The sentiment behind the campaign is to, reach out to people like Jonathan who are preparing for or undergoing heart operations, through charity challenges and events. Jonathan was born with a hole in the heart and a problem one of his heart valves and has now undergone six heart surgeries in his lifetime. Whilst the campaign ambassador’s circumstances have been an emotional roller-coaster, he and David want to support others in similar situations in their road to recovery.
The most recent event saw the twins score £10,000 for their charity, this time at the home of the Black Cats, the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, as they joined forces for football showdown, The Tenpast Challenge Cup, which took place in May. The match saw the BHF All-stars take on Nottingham’s St Nics FC to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, the charity chosen by creative events agency and organiser, Tenpast.
Lookers VW, as pioneering sponsors of the event to shore up both brand awareness and vital funds for the cause, proffered marketing material and led coverage with the BHF Allstars wearing specially designed kits for the 2018 event. The passion of the team at Lookers VW alongside the community ethos, led to a natural partnership – one we hope will continue moving forward.
The BHF All Stars team was made up of some of the BHF’s most passionate ambassadors from all around the UK. All-Stars Manager Jim Lynskey is the youngest person in the country to have an LVAD, left ventricular assisted device, which replaces the function of his failing heart.
Andrew Davison, Business Director at Lookers Newcastle said: “We are delighted to show our continued support for the Six Times Open campaign as they raise vital funds and awareness for the British Heart Foundation in this way. Well done to the whole team who took part in Tenpast Challenge Cup this year!”
The match was one of the final fundraising events, amongst numerous adventures over the last 18 months, that the twins David and Jonathan Stretton Downes have planned for their Six Times Open fundraising campaign aiming to raise £100k for the British Heart Foundation. Prior to the game, a pre-match reception was held at the Roker Hotel in Sunderland and after the game, post-match interviews with managers and Head of Business at Lookers, Andrew Davison, took place.
The result of the Cup was a 3-2 triumph for the BHF Allstars after a closely fought battle and the brothers thanked all their partners, with a special shout out to Lookers VW as lead sponsors of the whole event. The annual matches are now in their third year and have seen 10k in the back of the net for the BHF.