Back in 1984 four friends met in a local pub and realized that they had a common interest in classic vehicles. So they had the idea of forming a club. The Weymouth Vehicle Preservation Society was born. We now have 163 members with 98 vehicles with two, four, or even six wheels. The aims of the club are to not only preserve our motoring heritage but to use our vehicles to support the fundraising efforts of local charities, and “not for profit” organisations, and to raise funds from our own events. To date, we have donated over £100k. After serving 25 years in the 2nd Royal Tank Regt., and a further 18 years working for the MOD I completed a nut and bolt restoration of our 1967 Fiat 600D. A friend suggested that I join the W.V.P.S. Somehow I ended up as Chairman, and magazine editor, for the last eight years!
Each year at our AGM the members decide which organisation we are going to support. This year it’s Family Matters Weymouth & Portland. Using donated clothing, they support families in crisis with ,clothing, footwear, kitchen equipment, underwear, personal hygiene items, baby clothes and food. Electrical items are PAT tested, for free, by a qualified engineer in his lunch hour. They support families, and individuals, who through no fault of their own are having to rebuild their lives from the ground up. All of their clients are referred by local agencies such as Age Concern, the local Council, health professionals, G.P.’s, the Samaritans etc. One such example is “Jack”. He came into the Family Matters premises on the Granby Industrial Estate, kindly donated by DJ Property. He was made welcome and asked for a pair of boots that didn’t leak and a warm coat. He made his choice and was very grateful. He was then asked if he needed anything else. He said that there was no point as anything he wasn’t wearing may well be stolen because he was living in a tent.
Our son, Adam, gave me a Skydive Experience for Christmas. I would rather he had given it to me when I was 60, and not 79! So I decided to use the event to raise funds for Family Matters. It will take place at the Old Sarum Airfield Hants, on April 26th. We have set up a fundraising page at www.gofundme.com (search on “Family Matters”) Any donations will make a real difference to people’s lives.
Peter Griffin
Photo: Frances Underwood Photography
