Drivers gear up for fundraiser

Bosses behind the M6 Toll road have unveiled the date for this year's Drive for Charity fundraising event.

Drive for Charity has been hosted by the M6 Toll for the past two years, and last year netted more than £160,000 for local charities.

This year's event, which will be held on May 23, will see the entire day's net toll takings shared out between three charities. Tom Fanning, chief executive of Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), which is behind the road, has just announced details of the annual fundraiser.

Cash handed over by drivers on May 23 will benefit Marie Curie Cancer Care, the NSPCC and the Staffordshire and Warwickshire Wildlife Trusts.

"We have been working with our chosen charities to make the M6 Toll's annual Drive for Charity a successful day and we hope our customers will give their continued support," said Mr Fanning.

"I do hope customers will rally to this cause as it will be a bonus knowing that your toll fare will be used for such good causes.

"How much the charities receive will depend on how many drivers use the road on the day and, as this is the last year in our partnering with these charities, we hope we get great support.

"Drive for Charity will continue as an ongoing commitment from the M6 Toll and we will be seeking to select new charities to work with us and the air ambulance for a further three-year period."

Representatives from all three charities have expressed their thanks to the M6 Toll for benefiting from the Drive for Charity event, after each netting thousands and thousands of pounds.

And in addition to the three main charities benefiting from cash handed over on May 23, part of the money will also go to the MEL's ongoing charitable support for the County Air Ambulance.

The £900 million M6 Toll is Britain's first privately funded motorway and stretches for almost 27 miles.