Friday 26th February 2010

Vauxhall is proud to announce that for the next 2 years it is to become a supporting partner of the charity Help for Heroes.

Since its very beginnings in 1903, Vauxhall has a history of close partnership with the British armed forces. In the past it provided vehicles for both the First and Second World War efforts, while today it extends significant discounts and tax free offers to serving or retired members of HM forces and their immediate family members, through its long standing military sales programme.

To raise money for Help the Heroes, Vauxhall will be hosting a series of high profile events, with the main driving force of the fundraising carried out through the all new Vauxhall VXR Power Events. These events kick off in April, with fantastic high-adrenaline activities such as bespoke track day experiences, as well as rollercoaster and karting challenges, all culminating with a VXR Power Festival at Silverstone (more info & details on this will follow shortly).

In addition, Vauxhall retailers up and down the country will be taking part in a number of fundraising activities to support the campaign.

Miss England, Katrina Hodge, who is also a serving soldier, has pledged to work closely with Vauxhall over the coming months and has kicked off the campaign at Ellesmere Port, where she accepted the keys to a brand new Vauxhall Astra in which she will attend many of the fund raising initiatives.

Cpl Hodge, who was commended for bravery during a tour of Iraq, is adamant that she will return to her job with the Surrey-based 1st Battalion Royal Anglican Regiment.

"This is a really great adventure and lots of fun, but I’ve got my job in the Army, which I do want to carry on doing," she said. "I’d like to carry on modelling too, who wrote the rule book saying you can’t do both?