Shaun Wallace’s Blackwater pit stop raises cash for air ambulance

Beat a Chase champion’s lap time on a Scalextric track and you got to take the set home with you. That was the deal on offer at a Cornish car dealership this month, and the youngest driver in the queue turned out to be the one who pulled it off.

The Dark Destroyer takes on Blackwater

On Tuesday 4th August, Hawkins Motor Group‘s Blackwater dealership turned its forecourt into a family fun day in support of Cornwall Air Ambulance. Hundreds of visitors dropped by through the afternoon and evening, with families, customers and members of the local community coming out to back the Cornish charity. Cornwall Air Ambulance’s own mascot, Aircrew Andy, joined the day alongside members of the charity’s team.

The event took its name from its star guest. Shaun Wallace, known to millions as ‘The Dark Destroyer’ on The Chase, spent the afternoon taking on visitors in a run of friendly competitions, from putting and cornhole to rowing and a driving simulator supported by St Eval Karting.

Racing to beat Shaun’s lap time

The main event was Scalextric, run on a bespoke track built specially for the day by Think Scalextric. The challenge was simple. Beat Shaun Wallace’s fastest lap and the Scalextric set was yours to take home.

The winner turned out to be one of the youngest competitors to take on the track all afternoon, which felt like exactly the right result for a day built around family fun.

Cake, cider and new cars on the forecourt

Away from the track there was plenty else to do. Visitors picked up food and drink from Lucy Bakes, Cub&Co, Miss Marple’s Ice Cream, The Old Mill Village Shop and a new ‘Gym Juice’ from Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, while browsing Hawkins’ latest models across its Hyundai, Nissan, MG and Citroën ranges.

£611 for the crews Cornwall relies on

By the end of the evening, the challenge had raised £611 for Cornwall Air Ambulance, a charity that completes around 1,000 missions a year across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

James Hawkins, Director at Hawkins Motor Group, said the turnout had exceeded what the dealership hoped for. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along, took part and donated so generously. It was fantastic to see so many people supporting such an important local charity while enjoying a great afternoon together.”

He had particular thanks for the day’s guest of honour. “A special thank you also goes to Shaun Wallace for giving up his time to host the event and helping us create such a memorable day. His enthusiasm and willingness to get involved with every challenge made the event a real success.”

Hawkins also thanked Cornwall Air Ambulance, Think Scalextric, St Eval Karting and the local businesses and partners who helped make the day possible. The dealership, which has served Cornwall since 1933, said it was proud to support charities that make such a difference to communities across the county.

James added, “Everyone at Hawkins Blackwater would like to thank every visitor, volunteer, partner and supporter who helped make our event such a success. Together, they helped raise valuable funds for a charity that is always there when Cornwall needs it most.”