Fiat donates new 500 to children’s charity

Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd has shown its support for Save The Children by donating a new Fiat 500 for the aid organisation’s gala charity auction this week.

The car will be one of a staggering list of prizes due to be bid for at Save the Children’s Festival of Trees Gala Dinner in London’s Natural History Museum tomorrow (Tuesday 4 December) in the presence of charity President, HRH The Princess Royal.

The special auction will help raise money for Save the Children’s on-going work around the world. And when the charity heads decided to find a new car to put under the hammer, they knew exactly which one they wanted – the 2008 Car of the Year.

With its stylish good looks, exceptional choice of standard and optional equipment, five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating and incredible value for money, the new Fiat 500 has been set aside as a star attraction at the auction event. The car will also be on display at the gala dinner.

"The idea is that guests bid for one of the bespoke designer 'Christmas Trees' which come with special prizes attached," said Save the Children spokeswoman Susannah Parker. "They might be a luxury safari, tickets to a Premiership football match or a garden re-design, and guests can also bid for a sensational prize – the new Fiat 500."

More than £3 million has been raised from these auctions since they started 19 years ago. But with such great prizes on offer, the organisers are expecting around £500,000 from this year’s event.

“We are always delighted to support such worthwhile causes as Save the Children,” said Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd. “Their work across the globe is so valuable, and if the lure of a new Fiat 500 can help raise vital funding for that, it has our firm backing.”

The new Fiat 500 range goes on sale through Fiat’s UK dealers in January 2008 with a choice of petrol and diesel engines and three trim levels, and priced from just £7,900.