Rally for Heroes: The Final Run and the grand total

14 October 2022

The well-known motoring event Rally for Heroes completed its final European rally event this summer, after supporting the armed forces, and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, for the last decade.

Over the last ten years, the fantastic Rally for Heroes team have provided our armed forces, and SSAFA, with sensational support. Raising an incredible £700,000 during this time, and through their wonderful and tireless ambassadorial work, Rally for Heroes has gone a long way in raising awareness of the services the charity offers, ensuring SSAFA can continue this work, and in keeping the memory of the fallen service personnel lost throughout the Afghanistan conflict, alive.

United by a love of cars and a desire to support our Armed Forces, 120 people in 60 vehicles drove five miles for every fallen hero since the start of the campaign in Afghanistan and covered 3,000 miles. The Rally took place over 10 days, visiting 10 countries and this year’s event alone raised a further £172,000 for SSAFA. The money raised from the Rally is used to help service personnel and their families who have experienced life changing circumstances as a result of the conflict. 

Annabel Venn, Head of Events at SSAFA, and Rally participant said this of the challenge: “Having been fortunate enough to experience the event in their final run this year, which raised over £172,000, we covered over 3000 miles and over 80 hours behind the wheel, driving highlights included the Grossglockner, the highest surfaced mountain pass in Austria, a closed-road convoy from the Hungarian border into Budapest, a few laps of the Hungaroring F1 racetrack, and the 48 switchbacks of the Stelvio Pass in Italy. Some serious adrenaline rushes and a few white-knuckle moments!

"The team took part in a poignant wreath-laying ceremony at Heroes Square in Budapest, alongside the Hungarian Armed Forces and numerous locals who had come out in force to look at the cars and speak to participants.

“Rally for Heroes is a huge test of skills and stamina, and most notably, an incredibly special experience – so much more than just a driving event – and SSAFA is immensely fortunate to be the beneficiary charity.”

We continue to work closely with the Rally for Heroes team, and extend our huge and heartfelt thanks to Steve Shaw, Benn Laidler, Mick Clark, and the entire Rally Family for making the Final Run 2022 possible.