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Trophy sold to pay for title bid
A MAIDSTONE rally driver was forced to put a beloved champi- onship trophyupfor auction to pay fees to carry on competing. Louise Cook (28) lost vital spon- sorship just weeks before a World Rally Championship event in Swe- den and was unable to meet the £8,000 entry fees. So she made the heart-breaking decision to sell the FIA Production Car Champion trophy she won in 2012 in a bid to carry on. It raised al- most £1,600 and supporters have helped to get pledges for the rest on- line. Former Maplesden Noakes pupil Louise, of Maidstone, said: “I reacted to the situation by putting mytrophy up on eBay in an attempt to still make the first round. “I do not have much to sell and I
was hoping it would help towards the rally. I love the trophy and the hard work it stands for, butmyheart just says it is better to be competing and making the season happen than sitting athomepolishing the trophy. “I sadly found out that major sponsors had to delay their plans and had only a matter of days before myWorld Rally Championship and
How you can help
SINCE her latest eBay appeal was launched, Daniel Stonhill has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Louise, which is avail- able at
www.gofundme.com/ save-louise-cooks-rally-sweden. Michael Higgins has also
started another JustGiving page to help her. It can be found at
www.justgiving.com/crowdfund- ing/worldrallychamptionships- louisecook
WRC Rally Sweden entry fees were due.”
Louisewas hoping that, as the tro-
phy is a one-off and won by one of the best young female British rally drivers, it would attract a collector of specialist sporting memorabilia. Therewere 26 bidders for the tro-
phy and the winning bidwas £1,588. It is not the first time Louise has re-
sorted to selling her trophies online to make it to the starting line. In 2012, she had to raise £18,000 to compete in New Zealand. She was able to raise the cash.
Drink-driver’s £900 bill
AWOMANwho drive while over the limit has been left to work out the cost after receiving a ban and a bill for more than £900 in court. Thirty-year-old Lisa Powley, from London Road, Maidstone, ad-
mitted driving her Ford Ka along Upper Stone Street on October 29 when a breath test showed she had 83mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Mid-Kent magistrates banned her from driving for 18 months and ordered her to pay a £750 fine, £85 costs and a £75 victim surcharge.
Get in line
OVER 50? Fancy trying line-danc- ing? A new course is being held at Coxheath village hall every Wednesday, with beginners’ classes starting at 1.15pm and in- termediates at 2.30pm. The classes take place at the Stockett Lane hall and lessons cost £4. Details on 01622 746323.
Scouts’ sale
A JUMBLE sale is being held at the Vine Church in Boughton Lane, Maidstone, from 1pm on Saturday, January 28. The event is being organised by Loose Swiss Scouts.
Jumble donations can be dropped off between 9.30am and midday.
3 0%Interest
up to years
Offer Ends 31st January
www.clarkesfurnishers.co.uk 01622 753073
Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF
UPHOL STERY | DINING | BEDS BEDROOM | CCESSORIES
Cash Price £2000, deposit £500. 36 monthly payments of £41.67. Total payable £2000. Subject to status, quotation available on request. Credit provided by an external finance company determined by Clarkes. Subject to acceptance. Not applicable to The Lounge Co products and goods sold at clearance price.
Maidstone February 2017 11
winter winter
sale thethe
Free Credit*
IFC
OFFER ENDS 31ST JNURY
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