MORE THAN 8,000 people turned up to support the 32nd Annual Vintage Rally at Tredegar House.

An array of vintage and classic cars and motorcycles, commercial vehicles, tractors, stationary engines and military vehicles filled the Tredegar House grounds yesterday.

The event was held by the Gwent Branch of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, which was founded in 1979. They started the rally to raise funds.

Along with other fundraisers, the Gwent branch now believe that this event will have brought the total funds raised by the branch to £1million.

The branch chairman, Mandy Womack, said: “It looks like today will have raised in excess of £35,000 and I’m more than confident that we will have reached our £1million goal.”

Organiser, Roger Wood added: “Today’s gone really well, with most of the exhibitors having turned up, so we have a full house, and a great turn out.”

The day had something for all the family with a craft marquee, children’s amusements, auto jumble, trade stands, and many other stalls.

There were also arena events including a parade of vehicles and a vintage and classic car auction run by Newport Auctions.

Enjoying the event were friends, Ian McCrae, from Newport, and Russell Howells, from Caerphilly, who bumped into each other.

Mr McCrae said: “I have an interest in vintage cars and I’m amazed at some of the old cars and how good they have been kept.

“I’m a Mini fan, and owned them when I was younger, and we use to cover them in stickers and adapt them and the youngsters are still doing that today - it makes me smile.”

Mr Howells added: “It’s a great day out, there’s plenty to look at and the day had been well supported.”

Enthusiast chops his locks for charity

A VINTAGE car enthusiast had his long hair cut at the Tredegar Park Classic Car Show to raise funds for charity.

Robert Dawes, 47, started growing his hair a year ago after getting bored of his usual style.

His cousin’s son, Stanley Smith, 3, died from leukaemia a number of years ago.

Hairdresser Sarah Waters, from Caldicot Barbers, volunteered to cut Mr Dawes’ hair and after cutting the hair, she gave him a number two using a shaver.

Following the cut, he said: “That feels so much better.

I’m glad I did it.”