Lord Montagu will be waving off a festive convoy of over 100 VWs on Sunday 1st December as they set off from Beaulieu to deliver Christmas presents to youngsters at the Piam Brown unit at Southampton General Hospital.
Scores of brightly coloured VW campers and cars will start their journey as Lord Montagu waves the chequered flag to start the New Forest VW Santa Run in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
Laden with gifts from kind donations, drivers will be accompanied by motorcycle outriders as they head to the unit for children and teenagers with cancer and haematological disorders. In the sixth annual charity run convoy, they also expect to have enough presents for all of the children in the hospital this Christmas.
VW drivers will get into the Christmas spirit by decorating their vehicles and themselves in festive attire, with Lord Montagu presenting prizes to the best-dressed van and best-dressed family. Look out for Rudolf, elves and even Father Christmas!
The event will see classic and custom VWs taking part in the run, including split-screens, Beetles, Golfs, T4s and T5s.
Beaulieu Events Manager Judith Maddox said: “As many as 150 VWs joined last year’s run and we are delighted that it will start from Beaulieu again this year. The event helps such a great cause and we will give the drivers a rousing send-off!”
Beaulieu will continue its festive celebration with Victorian Christmas bringing the ancestral home of Palace House to life on the weekends of December 7th-8th, 14th-15th and 21st-January 1st.* Visitors can watch Montagu family members, played by costumed actors, as they rehearse Cinderella for the house pantomime in 1889. There will be a Christmas tree in every room of the house, mulled punch by a roaring log fire, carol singing, festive craft activities and a Christmas mice trail for families to follow. For tickets and details click here or call 01590 612345. * Beaulieu will be closed on Christmas Day.