BMG Mini Rebuild for the Cancer Society
Local retired Wakefield auto mechanic Bob Croy and his mates got together early 2012 to come up with an idea of how to raise more money for the local Cancer Society. They had just completed a successful fund raising effort for the Relay For Life, but wanted to give back more. Being an ex mechanic Bob remembered a previous auction of a rebuild Morris Minor and so the BMG Mini for Nelson Cancer was born.
The concept was to raise a large sum of money to be given to the Cancer Society Nelson through the Relay for Life process. By creating a raffle, Bob and his mates (called the Wakefield Caffeine Crew) felt that they could really make a difference, and generate a lot of interest in the project as well as a whole lot of money.
The Bowater Motor Group have joined with this motivated team to help support them through this process by donating all of the parts needed to complete the job.
Follow their journey as this rebuild takes shape.
Relay for Life Mini's restoration in full bloom
The BMG Cancer Society Mini restoration is entering the next phase of work, getting ever closer to completion. The Bowater Motor Group are very pleased to be able to support them through this journey with the sourcing of parts needed, at no cost to the Mini Restoration Team.
Article taken from the Nelson Mail.
Written by Adam Roberts.
Photo: ALDEN WILLIAMS/ Fairfax NZ
Retired mechanic Bob Croy, left, with Ian Mortimer, Mitch Hewson and Caleb Hill of Mortimers Auto Upolstery in Richmond, in the mini they are restoring to raffle at next year's Relay for Life.
With a new coat of paint coloured Daffodil Day yellow, and the numberplate D4FDIL to match, it is clear this is a Mini with a message.
The Wakefield project to restore a 1975 Morris Mini Mark 3 to raffle for the Relay for Life has moved in leaps and bounds since it began last year.
Fresh from a panelbeating and paint job at Sun City Panel and Paint in Nelson, it is now at the upholstery installation stage.
The idea for the project came when retired mechanic Bob Croy and his friends were recovering from last year's Relay for Life, and discussing how they could raise even more money for the Cancer Society at the 2014 relay.
Making a silk purse and going hammer and tongs in time for Christmas
Great progress is being made with the The Wakefield Caffeine Crew's Relay for Life Project, the BMG Mini restoration.
Nick Harrison (left), the teams panel beater, is very busy with the daunting task of making a silk purse out of a sows ear.
Back in the 1970s there was very little rust protection, hence the inside of all the panels never saw any paint or any form of rust inhibitor. But that doesn't phase Nick, being a very experienced tradesman he is right up there for the task.
It always amazes us what a panel beater can do with a welder, hammer and dolly (and that is the steel one not a two legged one).
Bowater Motor Group through Bowater Toyota have supplied the Wakefield Restoration Team with a number of new panels.
Recently John Bruce acquired the project another old Mini body from which the team have scavenged a number of salvageable panels that Nick will fit and weld into place, speeding up the process as replacement is often a whole lot quicker than repair.
Mini on restoration road
Labour of love benefits Relay for Life
Article from The Nelson Mail 05/07/12
Photo: MARION VAN DIJK/FAIRFAX NZ. Nick Harrison, left, and Bob Croy are starting to work on the panels of the 1975 Morris Mini Relay for Life fundraiser.
A Wakefield project to restore an old Mini to raise money for the Relay for Life has continued to accelerate, with the car receiving panelbeating work, a personalised plate, and a starring role in a calendar.
In March retired mechanic Bob Croy, retired carpenter John Bruce, and tinkerer Martin Reid joined forces to restore a 1975 Morris Mini Mark 3 to raffle for the 2014 relay, with profits going to the Cancer Society.
Since the project began, the group has partnered with businesses and groups, including Sun City Panel and Paint, the Bowater Motor Group and Hotwash Water Blasting.
Mini restoration for maximum impact
Photo: MARTIN DE RUYTER/Fairfax NZ
From left, Martin Reid, John Bruce and Bob Croy are part of a group who will restore this 1975 Morris Mini and sell it to raise funds for the Cancer Society Relay for Life in two years' time.
Article from the Nelson Mail 31/03/12.
This year's Cancer Society Relay for Life may have only finished a few weeks ago, but a group of Wakefield men whose lives have been affected by the disease are already working to raise money for the next one.
Retired mechanic Bob Croy, retired carpenter John Bruce, and retired teacher and tinkerer Martin Reid have joined forces to restore an old Mini to sell at the 2014 relay, with all profit going to the Cancer Society.
