With less than a week to go before the Kent-sponsored Italian Job Mini has to go on parade for the first time at the 50th Anniversary Opening Ceremony on 1 October, the tension in the King garage is hotting up! The Mini is taking shape, although it seems that for every step forward there are two steps back… but there’s nothing like a deadline to focus the mind!

We are very grateful to the University for its sponsorship of our entry into the 2014 Italian Job rally… and to staff in many departments for their support in so many ways, not least a recent “cake event” that raised just over £173 last week.

The next big opportunity to support us and Variety, the children’s charity that we are raising money for is to buy tickets for The Italian Job, the original 1969 film starring Michael Caine. The Gulbenkian Cinema is screening this on our behalf and is donating a portion of ticket sales to Variety, after costs. It’s a fun way to support charity. Tickets are £10 and include a glass of wine or a soft drink. The film is on Thursday 2 October at 7pm. The Gulbenkian cafe is including some Italian dishes on the menu that night if you fancy a bite to eat beforehand. You can book seats online at www.thegulbenkian.co.uk or call the box office on 01227 769075. We hope to see you there!

This is how the Italian Job Mini will look when it’s finished!

The Mini is being rebuilt from the shell of a former road Mini with parts dating from 1971. It’s slow progress but getting there