It's that time of the year again - time for the White Hat Rally, which sees competitors from the information security industry steering a variety of cars - vintage, banger and even fancy dress - across France and Italy, taking in some amazing scenery and a visit to the famous revolving restaurant at Piz Gloria along the way. The organised motor rally is hard work - and great fun - for the competitors, but it's easy to forget that this, the second annual contest, is all about charity and the organisers are aiming to raise £30,000 for NSPCC ChildLine.
According to Malcolm Marshall, chair of the White Hat Rally charity committee, and whose day job is Lead Partner for Security Services at KPMG, "All proceeds from the ThunderCrawl rally will go to the NSPCC's ChildLine charity, which has no less than thirteen 24x7 telephone counselling centres across the UK. The charity has gone from strength to strength in recent years and, whilst it does a stunning job, it still needs donations, and that's where the White Hat Rally – and you - come in," he said.
"This year's route for the rally is based loosely on the exploits of that master of derring-do, James Bond, in the film `Her Majesty's Secret Service' which will allow us to try out all those interesting accents, as well as enjoy a vodka martini - shaken, but definitely not stirred, of course," he added.
And whilst interested observers are drinking their vodka martinis - or even thinking about drinking one - they might also like to think of people less fortunate than themselves and donate - via the superb VirginMoneyGiving.com Web site - to the White Hat Rally, with all proceeds going to the NSPCC's ChildLine charity.
"Children are our future and we need to invest in them today, if we are to have a future we can be proud of. All of us today were children once, and have had good days, as well as bad ones, but the ChildLine charity seeks to help those unfortunate kids who have more bad days than good and help them when it matters most," he said.
"ChildLine has come a long way since the days 24 years ago when the reknowned broadcaster Esther Rantzen founded the charity, but its aims - and needs - are the same as ever, and that's why the White Hat Rally is proud to support this excellent charity. We're giving up our time for the rally, so we don’t think it’s too much to ask people to give a few pounds towards such a very deserving charity, he added.
The organisers of the Infosecurity show are also adding their support to the White Hat Rally, and have backed White
Hats as the official charity for the show, which takes place each spring in London.
Claire Sellick, the Event Director for Infosecurity Europe, said that she and her team are delighted to be supporting the White Hat Rally 'Thundercrawl' in aid of ChildLine as the official media channel.
“Please help us raise loads of money for ChildLine to help protect vulnerable children and stop cruelty. Please visit: www.infosec.co.uk web site and www.twitter.com/infosecurity, and show your support for this amazingly worthwhile cause.