Sytner Group colleagues complete the infamous Fan Dance for charities close to home

Colleagues from Sytner’s Graypaul Birmingham recently took part in The Fan Dance Race across the Brecon Beacons to raise funds for two charities close to colleagues’ hearts.

A total of 15 colleagues took part in the 24km hike across the Brecon Beacons to raise money for Andy Lilley, a Sytner Group colleague and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The team raised £17,440 [correct as of 8^th February 2022], which is 174% of their target of £10,000.

Malcolm Botta, Ferrari Sales Manager, said: “We wanted to choose a challenge that gave us the scope to get as many team members involved. We opted to ask people to go clean fatigue, so they didn’t have to carry anything, so that we could involve as many people as possible.

“The winter addition often has ice, snow, wind and sub-zero conditions. So, the team have all had to invest time and money making sure our kit meets the requirements of the ex-SAS and SBS team members who run the event.”

The team chose to raise money for team member Andy Lilley, who was with the business for nearly 10 years and is loved by everyone. Unfortunately the team at Graypaul Birmingham was devastated when, in September 2020, Andy had a stroke that left him unable to speak and paralysed down the right side of his body.

Colleagues also chose Acorns Children’s Hospice to donate money to. The dealership connected with them in December 2020 through a Ferrari initiative when colleagues delivered Christmas presents for the children.

Malcolm continued: “Andy’s family have had to move to adapt a new home for Andy’s disabilities so we wanted to donate some towards that. Clients also want to know how Andy’s recovery is going and many have made the effort to keep in touch with him since he has been at home.

“We also chose Acorns because of the relationship we have and the great things that they do. Stuart Hood, our Managing Director learned how the hospice came to closing during the first stages of the pandemic and committed to fundraising for them as soon as we could so that they can continue the fantastic work that they do.”

The Fan Dance is an integral part of the British SAS selection course, first introduced in the decade following the Second World War. Sytner Group colleagues took the challenge at a more leisurely pace.

Mark Raybone, Vehicle Photography Manager at Sytner Group took part, he said: “It was a tough day but very rewarding, knowing we were doing it to raise money and awareness for such great causes made it much easier.

“As we were climbing, I kept thinking that no matter how difficult we thought it was, and how much we were struggling, everyone has their own mountain to climb.”

To find out more about the history of Fan Dance or to donate to the chosen charities, visit: Crowdfunding to support Acorn's Children's Hospice and our much loved Andy Lilley on JustGiving

To find out more about Graypaul Birmingham visit the website.