A familiar red Mini with a very important message will be among the rally cars competing at Mull this weekend.
Drivers and fans have been making their annual pilgrimage to the Argyll island throughout the week as they line up for the start of the ever popular race.
The Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally runs from today until Sunday.
Competitors’ vehicles range from the latest machinery to historic Minis, and generally everything in between.
Competing again this year will be the island’s Marie Curie healthcare assistant Louise Thomas and her famous “Marie Curie Mini”.
Joining Miss Thomas as co-driver and taking part in her first rally will be 16-year-old Emily Easton-Page.
The 1993 Mini Cooper is well known on the islands for its iconic look which includes Marie Curie’s daffodil emblem.
The Mini has recently been completely rebuilt by Miss Thomas’ father and sponsor Mini Sport Ltd.
Last year it featured on TV screens as part of the BBC Scotland series Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands with Paul Murton and The Classic Car Show where it was driven by the 1964 Monte Carlo rally winner Paddy Hopkirk.
The Mini helps raise awareness for Miss Thomas’ role as a local Marie Curie Nurse working in homes on Mull and Iona to provide hands-on care and vital emotional support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.
Also supporting Marie Curie is locum doctor Steven Brown who has been running the rally route in the lead up to the event aiming to raise £1,000.
He completed his challenge with the 15.3 mile Glen Aros-Achnadrish route on Wednesday and has raised £730 so far.
Miss Thomas said: “Emily and I are very excited and can’t wait to get started. With it being Emily’s first rally we’re sure it’s going to be memorable especially as it has such fantastic local support.
“I hope everyone that sees my Mini taking part will be encouraged to find out more about Marie Curie and the free local Nursing Service. Given the choice, most of us would want to die peacefully at home, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. Marie Curie nurses make this possible but we couldn’t do it without the efforts of people like Steven and generous local donations.”
