PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
May your December be MINI and bright – Festive MINI Electric embarks on charity tour.
Mon Nov 22 01:01:00 CET 2021 Press Release
A MINI Electric, wrapped in 2,000 smart LED lights by Twinkly, is starting a five-week tour to spread festive cheer and raise money for three important charities; the MS Trust, Duchenne UK and Alzheimer’s Society.
Press Contact.
Helen Wilson
BMW Group
Tel: +44-1252-92-1928
send an e-mail
Author.
Helen Wilson
BMW Group
A MINI Electric, wrapped in 2,000 smart LED lights by Twinkly, is starting a five-week tour to spread festive cheer and raise money for three important charities; the MS Trust, Duchenne UK and Alzheimer’s Society.
Lighting the way after the Festive MINI Electric’s first public
appearance at The Lexicon Bracknell in Berkshire, on the
25th November, the car will travel to various locations
around the UK, driven by project creator Nicholas ‘Nico’ Martin.
The sen-sleigh-tional project first started over three years
ago, with Nico hand-wrapping his MINI in fairy-lights and displaying
it in his local town of Bracknell. However, in December 2020, without
the usual Christmas switch-on displays delivering much-needed festive
spirit, Nico realised he could use the Festive MINI to bring joy and
positivity to people on their own doorsteps, whilst also raising
awareness and over £5000 for the MS
Trust and Duchenne UK,
two charities very close to his heart.
Nico said, “I’m so pleased to be back with the Festive MINI
charity tour. I just knew last year I had an opportunity to cheer
people up and also to raise funds for the MS Trust and Duchenne UK.
Both charities mean a lot to me - unfortunately my mother was
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis six years ago, and in 2019 I was
asked to take the Festive MINI to surprise an incredible young boy,
Marcus Rooks, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. When
I saw his face light up with so much joy and excitement, I realised
that I had created something truly special. Ever since meeting him and
learning about his condition, I’ve wanted to support him in any way I can.”
This year, Nico has introduced a guest charity spot taken up by
Alzheimer’s Society and
he has rallied support from MINI UK, Festive Lights and Italian smart
lighting company Twinkly, to up the voltage on his project and make it
bigger and better than ever, with an aim of raising as much money as
possible for the three special causes.
Nico added: “I’m so grateful for the incredible support behind
the project and the teams involved this year. The MINI Electric is
even more exciting to drive and means all my trips on the tour are
environmentally friendly and the app-controlled Twinkly lights with
their amazing customisable animations really give the car a bit of
extra magic. I can’t wait to get out on the road to spread some
Festive MINI spirit and raise lots of money for the three charities!”
David George, Director, MINI UK said, “We’re extremely humbled
to be a part of Nico’s fundraising project with the Festive MINI
Electric. It’s a wonderful idea that will bring people together, make
them smile, and also raise funds for some amazing charities.”
For more information on the Festive MINI Tour and to keep
updated on where it’s headed visit www.festivemini.com
Donate here: https://festivegiving.org.uk/fundraising/festive-mini/.
Follow Nico’s journey on Instagram: @drivingwithnico
Ends
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW
Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of
automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and
mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31
production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a
global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles
and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in
the financial year 2020 was € 5.222 billion on revenues amounting to €
98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce
of 120,726 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the
future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and
efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from
the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.
www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
About Twinkly
Ledworks is an Italian startup
whose mission is to bring digital innovation to the world of consumer
and professional lighting. Ledworks is the creator of Twinkly Smart
Decor - a product suite of lighting with many innovative features that
can be controlled via a smartphone app. Twinkly's innovative and
customizable LED lights offer unlimited combinations of colours and
patterns, giving consumers the ability to customize their holiday and
home decorations right from their smartphone.
https://www.twinkly.com/
About Festive Lights
Festive Lights was
established in 1999. We have over 20 years of lighting experience,
with the knowledge, expertise and product ranges to make sure our
customers have everything they need to bring every event to light!
Over the past two decades, we have polished our products and services
to perfection, from tailored quotes to bespoke products, for
installations of every size.
https://www.festive-lights.com/
About the MS Trust
130 people are diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis every week in the UK. That’s one person every two
hours. An MS diagnosis can be devastating, for people with MS and
their loved ones. You may feel lost, alone and uncertain about the
future. But you don't have to deal with it alone. The MS Trust is here
for everyone affected by MS, from the moment of diagnosis and
throughout your journey.
We’re here for you today, tomorrow and every day after that. We
fight to make sure everyone affected by MS can access good quality,
specialist care and live the best life they possibly can. We support
and train your MS health professionals and fund MS specialist nurses
and Advanced MS Champions across the UK. We produce practical,
evidence-based information, online and in print, and our dedicated
Enquiry Service team are a friendly and knowledgeable voice to speak
to for anyone who needs to know more about MS.
https://mstrust.org.uk/
About Duchenne UK
Duchenne UK has one clear aim – to end Duchenne, a devastating
muscle-wasting disease. As the leading Duchenne charity in the UK,
they connect the best researchers with industry, the NHS and families
to accelerate every stage of drug development. Together, we will find
effective treatments for this generation of people living with DMD.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common fatal
genetic disease diagnosed in childhood. Children born with DMD cannot
produce the protein dystrophin which is vital for muscle strength and
function. Muscle weakness starts in early childhood. Many use a
wheelchair by around the age of 12. As deterioration continues it
leads to paralysis and a shortened life expectancy. It almost
exclusively affects boys. In the UK there are around 2,500 boys
affected and around 300,000 worldwide. It is classified as a rare disease.
Our president is HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. Our patrons
include the broadcasters Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Mary Nightingale,
and the sports stars Owen Farrell, Kris Radlinski and Andy Farrell.
For more information visit https://www.duchenneuk.org/
About Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer's Society is
the UK's leading dementia charity. We provide information and support,
fund research, campaign to improve care and create lasting change for
people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Dementia devastates lives. Alzheimer’s Society research shows
that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. Dementia deaths
are rising year on year and 225,000 will develop dementia this year -
that’s one every three minutes.
We want everyone affected by dementia to know that whoever you
are, whatever you are going through, you can turn to Alzheimer’s
Society for support, help and advice. Visit Alzheimer’s Society’s
website (alzheimers.org.uk) or call the Dementia Connect support line
on 0333 150 3456.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
MINI Press Office Contacts:
Helen
Wilson
Senior Press Officer, BMW & MINI
Communications
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk
Georgina
Cox
MINI
Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370878
Email: Georgina.Cox@mini.co.uk
Emma Begley
General Manager, Product and Internal
Communications
Tel: 07815 371062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk
Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications
Director
Tel: 07815 376867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk
Media website:
www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
www.mini.co.uk
www.twitter.com/miniuk
www.facebook.com/miniuk
www.youtube.com/miniuk