Following on from the success of last year’s widely-acclaimed youth project, Dave Keay and Luke Pinnell of KP Garage & Bodyshop in Westbury launched the 2019 project at an open day on Saturday 26th January.
Like last year, 10 young people between the ages of 14 and 18 will have the opportunity to get involved, learn about car restoration and mechanics whilst working on this year’s project car: A rare ‘Marathon’ classic Volkswagen Beetle. The team, based at their Station Road, Westbury workshop will be teaming up with Sovereign Housing Association who will provide training and certification throughout the project and CLH engineering in Westbury to provide training in different welding types.
Additional local businesses already signed up to sponsor the project include: Colour Idea, Tec4 Lubricants, Black Nova Designs, Well Chuffed Media and Eurocartel.
Last year saw 10 young people attend weekend workshops to design and build a one-off BMW 330Ci M car which was then displayed at the Forge Action Day motoring event at Castle Combe in September. After the show, the car was auctioned, with proceeds split equally between funding the next project and UK Youth.
Dave Keay from KP Garage & Bodyshop said, “We were blown away by the response and feedback from last year’s project, so we can’t wait to repeat it and give even more people the opportunity to get involved. This time the project will run for a full year, with the aim of showing the finished vehicle at various VW shows in 2020.”
The open day in January saw a number of local teenagers meet the team, see the project car and put in their applications, but there are still a few spaces left. Potential volunteers are welcome to drop by the garage during opening hours to pick up a form. Friday 22nd February is the last day for applications and the 2nd March is the first day of the project. Whilst the team at KP Garage & Bodyshop have sourced the donor vehicle, they are keen to hear from local charities that they can support but also any businesses that are interested in sponsorship opportunities whether it be parts, equipment or financial support in return for publicity throughout the project and at the events where the car will be exhibited.
KP Garage & Bodyshop can be found at Unit 1, Westbury Ind Estate, Station Road, Westbury, BA13 4HR. Call: 01373 229642, or at www.kpyouthproject.co.uk. UK Youth are at www.ukyouth.org
