BEN, the automotive charity has accepted £142,000 from Marshall's of Cambridge CEO for his jump from a plane.

• Industry Leader Challenge and skydive by Daksh Gupta raise £142,000
• Highlight of a year of fundraising for BEN, the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry
• Donate online at 
• www.justgiving.com/Daksh-Gupta

One of the industry’s key business leaders has swapped the boardroom for the open skies, jumping out of a plane at over 10,000 feet to raise funds for BEN, the charity dedicated to supporting those working in the automotive industry.

Marshall Motor Holding’s CEO, Daksh Gupta, completed the jump as the pinnacle of a year of fundraising, in BEN’s first ever Industry Leader Challenge event.  

Conquering his fear of heights has paid off, as currently the fundraising total stands at £142,000. Daksh hopes that the total will reach £150,000 once the final pledges from the last few companies come in.

Daksh Gupta completed his tandem skydive on Friday 22^nd July, parachuting out of the plane at the Hinton Skydive Centre in Brackley, Northants. 

Speaking after the jump, Daksh said: “I must admit the worst thing is going up. I was having second thoughts up there but it was amazing. We actually jumped from 13,000 feet, not 10,000. 

On the way up I was thinking "crikey this is really high" and that's when your stomach goes. I can tell you I definitely wouldn't do it again. It was amazing but once is enough! When you come out of the plane you're actually doing 140 miles an hour freefall for about 50 seconds. 

You watch the earth come rapidly up to meet you and that's the worst part - then you’re praying for the parachute to open. I was definitely glad to be back on the ground afterwards. This had to be one of the highlights for me in terms of life experiences. It was amazing, but seriously, I'm never doing it again!”

Daksh is the first automotive industry leader to take on the Industry Leader Challenge which launched this year, in which an individual takes on a personal fundraising target over the course of a year, for BEN. 

Once completed they pass the baton on to the next automotive industry leader who then attempts to top the amount raised.

Along with the jump Daksh charged his dealership network to compete to raise cash for BEN, over a week of fundraising events which included team barbeques, a carnival, cycle rides, sponsored walks and a spinathon. 

Over 300 dealers, dealership groups, manufacturers, suppliers, financial services and individuals generously sponsored the challenge.

Daksh said:  “I have really enjoyed taking part in the first ever 

Industry Leaders Challenge event for BEN and I’m thrilled that we have raised such an impressive amount of money. 

The funds raised will directly help those working in the industry when they need it the most. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues for getting fully behind this campaign as well as to everyone who donated; I couldn’t have done it without you. 

Following the jump I received the very sad news that my mother had passed away. She always encouraged me to support charities and help people those less fortunate than me, so I’d like to dedicate this jump to her.”

Jools Tait, Business Development Director at BEN, said: “What a phenomenal achievement. Daksh you are a superstar and we can’t thank you and your sponsors enough!

“The funds raised will have a hugely positive impact, and will help BEN reach more people in the industry, allowing us to provide more practical support, advice and guidance to those who need it.  BEN relies on our industry’s support and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this challenge.”

BEN has already identified the next leader who will take on a challenge in 2017 and this, and the final amount raised by Daksh, will be revealed at the annual BEN Ball at the Grosvenor House in December.

The Top gear Star In A Reasonably Priced Car, Vauxhall Astra is on eBay to raise money for the BEN Charity.

• BBC Top Gear’s Reasonably Priced Vauxhall Astra back up for auction to raise money for BEN
• 2013 Astra driven by Will Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch
• New eBay auction opening today: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/231913252015

The Vauxhall Astra used in the last series of BBC’s Top Gear as their Reasonably Priced Car is up back for sale to raise money for the automotive support network BEN.

The 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 was driven by a host of celebrities including Tom Hiddleston, Jack Whitehall and Steven Tyler. The car, donated by Vauxhall Motors, was initially offered for auction late last year, but with the original sale now fallen through, the way is clear for one lucky Top Gear fan to bid for the vehicle on eBay as well as contribute to a worthy cause.

BEN is committed to making positive differences to the lives of people within the automotive industry and their dependents. The organisation offers a wide range of free and confidential information, advice and Support Services, along with the provision of residential, nursing and specialist care services at multiple care centres around the UK.

David Main, Chief Executive at BEN said: “It is a shame the original sale fell through, but this of course does mean another chance for a Top Gear fan to get their hands on a piece of the show’s history, after all this was the last car to be used in the show’s previous format.”

He added: “Who knows, perhaps Chris Evans or Matt Le Blanc may fancy bidding on it themselves?!”

With an estimated 350 million views in 170 different countries per week, the 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 was initiated with a star-studded barbeque, featuring celebrities including comedians Jimmy Carr and Warwick Davis, and singers Brian Johnson and Joss Stone. Celebrities such as Olly Murs, who topped the leader board, Margot Robbie, Ron Howard and James Blunt all thrashed it around the Top Gear Test Track at Dunsfold Park, Surrey.

The five-door Power Red 1.6-litre 115bhp Vauxhall Astra Tech Line will be auction on eBay, from today for 2 weeks until 28^th April, with a reserve of £10,000 - all proceeds from the sale will be donated to BEN.

The spec:

• Mileage – 2,908
• 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels
• Sat-nav system with seven-inch colour monitor
• Three-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel
• Multi-function trip computer
• USB connection with iPod control
• Mobile phone system with Bluetooth
• Digital radio with six premium speakers
• Chrome-effect exterior side window surround
• Front Corbeau Sprint Racing seats with 5 point safety belt harness and full roll-cage

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bidders should be aware that the airbags have all been disabled making room for the roll-cage.  To re-instate the airbags would involve removing the roll-cage and seating.  So, in its current state, the car is not type-approved and should not be driven on the road.  The Vauxhall Technical Team will work with the successful bidder at handover to fully explain how the vehicle has been adapted. Please be aware converting the vehicle back into use on the public highway would incur significant cost.

Vauxhall shows commitment to the welfare of retired staff, They deserve congratulations for their help.

When one of Vauxhall’s Luton pensioners found himself suddenly alone with only his little dog for company his world turned upside down. Caring for himself no longer seemed important and gradually his home began to fall apart. The analogue television set stopped working with the change over to digital, the microwave packed up and generally the house fell into decline.

When this came to the attention of Cherie Denton, the Vauxhall Welfare Officer, she arranged a visit to assess the situation and immediately started getting the various agencies who could provide help involved. Age Concern Luton was contacted, Royal British Legion, The Motor & Allied Trade Benevolent Fund (BEN) and also the Vauxhall Welfare Fund. 

However, she was talking to Vauxhall’s Body Shop Manager Dave Garrett on another issue when he said that he could probably arrange a team of employees to help with a project. Enter Simon Petrie, Steve Woodward, Robert Turner and Kevin Allen, all Vauxhall Body Shop employees. They turned up at the house and were shocked that an ex-Vauxhall employee was living in this condition.  

They cleared out the unwanted items with the help of the pensioner to get the property ready for a deep clean.  They decided not to stop there but volunteered to re-decorate it for him. Whilst the cleaning was taking place, paint and materials were being donated from all over the place.  Back in came the Body Shop team. 

They not only carried out the decoration but one of the team produced a digital television that he set up with a great picture, another one turned up with a fridge and a third a microwave! “It was like having a birthday,” said the gentleman.

The charities have all come together and helped with new carpeting, furniture, a new bathroom suite and have made his home much safer and warmer.   The pensioner’s pride in his home and himself have been gradually restored. Thanks go to all involved but particularly to a team of special guys who gave up their time to help one of their ex-employees.

TMW COMMENT - Well, Vauxhall has gone up in my estimation, they have proved that they look after their staff even when in retirement, the staff that came and helped, and those that gave, should all be congratulated, they have shown that there is still some care for the community, long may this last