Coach trip: University fitness manager in charity drive to meet the Pope

This morning (8 June), Mark joined five other drivers in three Alfa Romeos (one red, one white and one blue in honour of the Jubilee Year) taking part in the charity drive from Leicester to Rome.

The drive is for local charity Wishes 4 Kids, and will mark the 10th anniversary of the charity which was launched to grant a ‘wish’ for Leicestershire children of eighteen years and below who are life-limited, terminally ill, or have suffered severe mental/physical/emotional trauma, or those who have been abused or diagnosed as HIV positive.

The team left Humberstone Gate, Leicester, at 8am today, waved off by Filbert Fox, Alan Birchenall & Muzzy Izzett, representing Leicester City Football Club, before heading on to their trip through Europe. En route they will stop for meetings with Luzern FC, the mayor of Milan and Milan FC, AS Roma FC, the Mayor of Rome and finally an audience with the Pope on 13 June, where Pope Benedict XVI himself will grant a blessing for the children and the charity.

The team are then due to complete the return journey arriving back at the King Power Stadium Leicester at 11am Saturday 16th June.

There’s still plenty of time to donate to this great cause. You can follow the drive on Twitter and find more information at www.wishes4kids.co.uk