Father and son from Coddington taking on Screwball Rally across Europe to raise money for school’s defibrillators

A father and son from Coddington are attempting to race around Europe in a car worth under £1,000 to raise money for a life-saving device, writes Tyler Kay.

The Screwball Rally’ sees competitors drive over 1,500 miles around Europe over five days, with over 50 cars entering — with the stipulation that all cars entered must be worth £1,000 or less.

Kevin and Lewis Wells will be entering a Bedford Rascal named ‘Hearty Rascal’, and they are taking on the challenge to raise money for a replacement defibrillator for Coddington C of E primary school, where Kevin’s wife Amanda teaches.

The Rally begins at Calais on September 26 and sees the competitors travelling through France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland before heading back to Calais across France on September 30.

They are aiming to raise £5,000, which will also prove defibrillator for up to three more primary schools.

Kevin said: “My son asked me a few years ago if we could do the Screwball Rally, but the timing wasn’t right. This year, it was.

“We’ve got 1,500 miles to do, you have to do it in a banger under £1,000 — it could be luxury car! It could be anything, but me and my son decided that if it’s going to be a challenge, then it’s got to be a challenge.”

The father and son duo opted to do the challenge in a cleaned-up, 35-year-old Bedford Rascal, stopping at camp sites along the way — with Kevin opting to sleep in the back of the Rascal:

“When you’ve been driving all day, you don’t want to be setting up tents. It’s five days of driving, festival living I suppose!”

Headteacher of Coddington primary school, Rebecca Major said: “It’s fantastic to be able to have this partnership work with the community, and to be able to raise awareness for having defibrillators at schools, and to be able to have access to the right medical equipment, especially if it’s an emergency.”

Kevin has extended his thanks to everyone who has supported, donated, or helped raise awareness of their challenge.

All donations and proceeds will be going directly to the cause. If you want to support Kevin, visit their online JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Coddington-Friends-Rally?utm_term=n2zEdXqMQ