From M62 duty to The Italian Job for charity

Oct 5 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THEY’RE forsaking their normal routine on the M62 to recreate a film classic.

Highways Agency officers Martin Free and Mike Merry spend most days driving up and down one of the country’s busiest motorways, helping motorists cope with problems.

But later this month the pair are to do their bit for charity and tackle The Italian Job – a 3,500-mile trip to Turin and back inspired by the classic Michael Caine film.

Not that they plan to get away with a haul of gold bullion. But they do hope to raise thousands of pounds for Kids Out, a children’s charity.

It helps children with physical, health, social or learning difficulties along with youngsters who come from turbulent or financially deprived backgrounds.

Martin, 36, of Dalton, and Mike, 46, of Cleckheaton, make up Team 91 and like many other competitors, they will be in a Mini.

The pair will attempt the adventure in Martin’s Mark 7 Mini Cooper S which he bought from John Cooper Garages – the spot for Mini enthusiasts in the past.

On October 17 the pair will join around 100 other like-minded classic car enthusiasts in recreating some of the scenes from the 1960 film by taking part in an event that has raised more than £2m for children’s charities since 1990.

The film is famous for its crazy car chases through Turin and although there will be no chasing, there will be plenty of driving.

Martin said: “To take part in the event you need to have a type of vehicle that appeared in the original film.

“Having checked our garages for an E-type Jaguar, Maserati or Jensen, we have had to make do with my Mini!