FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Champion British Driver “Takes the Checker” Against Childhood Illness by Running Upcoming Elite Invitation-Only Virgin London Marathon with Teammates
Team Torquespeed.com’s John Mickel, International Stock Car & Legends World Champion, Sky Sports Britain Commentator; Fundraises for British Nonprofit Rhys Daniels Trust by Logging 26.2 Miles
Cambridge, England, UK + Mooresville, NC (March 15, 2010) – John Mickel, recent 2010 ASA Freestate 500 Champion, 2001 ASCAR & Legends World English racing champion; in concert with his English team – Torquespeed – announced he will be running the elite Virgin London Marathon on April 25th, 2010. Mickel will be running with Team Rhys Daniels Trust, alongside his US PR representative Demi Clark & UK CPC Legends teammate & spotter Paul Musselle, to help “take the checker” against childhood illness.
John Mickel (above right) running with CPC UK Legends sponsor in Cambridge, & Doodles the dog
“The Virgin London Marathon is and will always prove to be one of the greatest events of the year, which thankfully has been very beneficial for the Rhys Daniels Trust.,” said Barry Daniels, Executive Director of the Rhys Daniels Trust. “In 2006 we received the coveted Gold Bond Award from the London Marathon Official Board and in 2008 had the oldest runner ever to complete a Marathon, taking part and supporting the Rhys Daniels Trust. We are excited to have John, Paul & Demi on board with a unique angle of car racing - and in return hopefully raise thousands towards our unique ‘Home from Home’ Appeal.”
The Rhys Daniels Trust “Take the Checker” Team will be fundraising & participating in a media blitz the week before the Virgin London Marathon – having a show car event for the children & families in treatment; raising funds at the charity’s April 23rd St. Georges Day Celebrity Golf Classic at Brocket Hall Golf Club; and being featured on local TV & radio programmes.
“The trauma of having a child diagnosed with a life threatening illness is shattering. Imagine then the added stress that these families face because their child needs to be treated many miles away from home. It could happen to anyone, and it is happening all the time to many families across the UK,” said John Mickel. “The aim of the Rhys Daniels Trust is to provide ‘Home from Home’ care in support of specialist Children’s Hospitals across the UK as a perfect environment for the sick child and their families at such a stressful time. My team is very excited to be able to help this amazing cause. It’s the most rewarding finish line I could ever cross, as we run past Buckingham Palace to the Mall at the end.”
Mickel is taking time from his busy Spring schedule to run the event – as he successfully ventures into a full 2010 UK Legends Series race schedule as team owner & driver; & alongside Team Torquespeed.com, plans to run a select number of 2010 races in Camping World Truck Series, team & number to be disclosed at a later date. It is their hope to then run an entire 2011 season for their rookie year. Mickel cut his teeth in Camping World Truck Series (then Craftsman) earlier in the decade with Bobby Hamilton, Sr & Bobby Dotter of Greenlight Racing (GLR).
For more information about the Virgin London Marathon & to use Virgin Money Giving to donate towards the 2000 British Pound fundraising goal, please visit: http://bit.ly/TakeTheChecker
ABOUT JOHN MICKEL:
John Mickel, as the only British driver competing in the elite NASCAR Series (Camping World Truck Series & Nationwide Series hopeful), brings a new level of prestige, dynamism & marketability to the sport – opening up a wider range of companies, sponsors & international appeal. Mickel was the first SCSA (Stock Car Speed Association) champion & currently holds the title of 4 World Legends Championships (the winningest driver in Legends history). He has competed in the NASCAR Camping World (then Craftsman) Truck Series with Bobby Hamilton Racing; ASA National Series events; Lowe’s Motor Speedway events & English oval tracks – finishing with lead lap, top 10 finishes. Most recently, Mickel took the checkered flag at the American Speed Association’s Inaugural Transcontinental Race – the Freestate 500 in Welkom, South Africa. For more information, visit www.JohnMickel.com, follow him on Facebook at search term “John Mickel,” or Twitter: www.Twitter.com/johnmickel.
ABOUT RHYS DANIELS TRUST:
In 1992 Barry and Carmen Daniels were given the devastating news that their daughter Charly, 4, had Late Infantile Batten's Disease - a devastating neurological degenerative childhood disease which leads to an early death - usually 3-4 years from onset. It was imperative that their son Rhys, aged 15 months, was tested - a test which sadly proved positive. When the Government decided, without consultation, to close the Westminster Children's Hospital a high profile court case followed. After a delay of 8 months, Rhys had his pioneering bone marrow transplant (his only hope of survival) at Bristol's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
With no idea where they would live, how they would pay for accommodation, with one desperately sick child and another facing a bone marrow transplant, the family uprooted and headed for Bristol. The Daniels family were fortunate - as a result of media coverage, Harrods boss, Mohammed Al Fayed rented a flat in Bristol for the whole family to use whilst Rhys was in hospital. Money that had been sent by well-wishers was used to rent a flat for another family to use whilst their daughter was treated at Bristol. And so the idea for the Rhys Daniels Trust was born.
Following a second bone marrow transplant, Rhys sadly lost his brave battle for life on 21 December 1998. Charly who had amazed everyone with her ability to hold onto life, sadly passed away on 10 February, 1999. Barry and Carmen Daniels decided to use their own experience and to channel their efforts into the Rhys Daniels Trust which would be a lasting tribute to the courage of their children.
ABOUT TORQUESPEED.COM:
Team Owners Torquespeed.com, in concert with Champion British Race Car Driver John Mickel, brings the first British led, operated, driven & owned NASCAR team to the United States in 2010. Team owners are a quintessential triumvirate of British businessmen & NASCAR enthusiasts – Steve Dudman, Asa Burrows & driver John Mickel. Through winning team attributes; superior equipment & partnerships; proper management & resources; and a dynamic, fresh-faced, talented driver – British & World Champion John Mickel - Team Torquespeed.com will help bring not just a new audience base & storyline to NASCAR, but a competitive race team. For more information, visit www.Torquespeed.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Demi Knight Clark, Girl Friday PR & Marketing
demi@girlfridaypr.com
803.389.7153
Facebook: Demi Knight Clark
Twitter: SnowNumber19
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