Festive Fiat raises a smile for fundraisers

Tracie Skinner has owned her little red Fiat 500 since the age of 16

A woman is using her festive Fiat 500 to bring a smile to hundreds of people fundraising for a children’s charity this Christmas.

Tracie Skinner, from Cannington, near Bridgwater, attaches a giant Santa hat to her car each year and will be taking it to a fun run for Children's Hospice South West on 8 December.

“When people see it, it always raises a smile,” she said.

Ms Skinner will be joined by Robin Bendall, from Nether Stowey, who has also given his 1979 MG Midget Frogeye Sprite replica a Christmassy makeover, with reindeer antlers and a red nose.

"We get a lot of hooting and waving, there's a lot of double-takes," Mr Bendall said.

Ms Skinner was given her car when she was just 16 but it was some years later when she came up with the festive idea, which has helped her raise thousands of pounds for different charities.

Robin Bendall is taking his 'reindeer car' to the fun run event on 8 December

"One day I looked at the Fiat and thought, 'I wonder if I could fit a Santa hat on the top'," said Ms Skinner.

"It was quite a job as we had to design it and make sure we could make it fit on the roof securely and safely."

She said that one year while out driving she was pulled over by police in Taunton and "panicked a bit".

"But I needn’t have worried, the officers just wanted a selfie picture with the car," she said.

'Christmas cheer'

Mr Bendall bought his car eight years ago at an auction and acquired a set of antlers from a farmer before deciding it would be fun to fix them onto the car.

“We put a red nose on the front of the car and because of the design, it looks like it’s smiling,” added Robin.

“I hope the cars will bring an extra bit of Christmas cheer to Santas on the Run,” he said.

The fun run at Charlton Farm, in North Somerset will see hundreds of people take part in a 1.2mile (2km) run around the grounds of the Wraxall site, all dressed in festive fancy dress.