TWO colleagues at a local Cox Automotive are set to embark on a 3,000-mile charity tour to raise money for The UK Sepsis Trust.

James Slocombe, who works as an assistant general manager and auctioneer at Manheim Auctions in Saltash, has organised the trip in memory of his niece, Megan Michaela Slocombe, who died of sepsis at the age of 16.

On September 6, James and his colleague, Georgia Richardson, will set off on their fourteen-day journey to visit 16 Cox Automotive auction centres around the UK.

Travelling in a 1989 two-seater Mazda MX5 sports car, the pair will start their tour in Plymouth and end in Gloucester on September 23.

James said: “This charity is very close to my heart as three years ago, I lost my niece, Megan, to sepsis and I would like to maximise every avenue to raise as much funds as I possibly can for this amazing charity.

“Sepsis is a silent killer, and I don’t know how to put into words how important it is for me to make everyone aware of it.”

James described his niece as “a truly beautiful spirit, full of life and fun” and said that she “holds a place in everyone’s heart.”

Megan was a part of the Adapt Dance Academy and now has a brand new dance-hall named after her.

The sports car they will be travelling is also of special significance because it once belonged to Georgia’s dad.

“I lost my dad in 2017, so to be able to show off his car on such an important charity event like this means so much to me!”, Georgia explained.

Once at each of the auction centres, they will raise money for the charity by auctioning off signed sports memorabilia, including items signed by Connor McGregor, Mike Tyson, and David Beckham - to name a few.

In just one week, the pair had already raised £4,700 of their £30,000 goal but are hoping to gain more donations, as well as sponsorship for the MX5.

To donate, visit their GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/a98e2dc2 or to sponsor the MX5, visit the Manheim Plymouth Facebook page to find the form.