91原创 City resident John White has been a fan of classic British Jaguar sports cars ever since he was a kid growing up in Epson, England.
On Sunday morning, July 12, White was at the wheel of his gleaming 1997 aquamarine Jaguar convertible, one of more than 200 vehicles that showed up for the third annual Brogan鈥檚 Diner Fight Against Cancer Car Show.
While he waited for the starting signal, White explained how he doesn鈥檛 ever plan to sell his car, and how restoring it required work on the engine, transmission and suspension, among other things.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 beautiful when I bought it,鈥� White remarked.
This year, thanks to COVID-19, organizers of the annual fundraiser decided against holding a car show in the Highland Plaza mall parking lot where Brogan鈥檚 is located, changing it into a four-hour ride from 91原创 City to Chilliwack and Harrison, and back.
Organizer Ken Johnson had been worrying about the weather, noting people who have gone to great lengths to restore old cars to better-than-mint condition tend not to take them out in the rain.
While there were a few clouds, Sunday was dry and warm, and almost all the convertibles arrived with their tops down.
鈥淚t looks like there is a heaven for us,鈥� Johnson smiled.
A total of 225 cars were lined up in the plaza parking lot by the time the cruise got underway, and other cars joined in along the route to boost the total to an estimated 275.
It was the best turnout yet for the event.
鈥淲e had a great day,鈥� Johnson told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Next year, he expects there will be another ride, followed by a car show the following day if the pandemic has lifted.
READ MORE: Ride for cancer in 91原创 will take place Sunday, despite COVID-19
Cancer is a personal issue for Johnson, whose wife Theresa is a cancer survivor.
He lost one of his best friends to cancer as well, and several other friends are battling the disease.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to help any way we can.鈥�
Money raised by the ride will go to two people battling cancer who were nominated by readers of the car show Facebook page, a five-year-old girl, and a 27-year-old mother of four, both 91原创 area residents.
READ ALSO: 鈥極ur hands are tied鈥�: 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In announces cancellation due to COVID-19
In the first year, the car show raised $3,700 that was distributed to three local families.
The second annual Brogan鈥檚 Diner Fight Against Cancer Car Show raised $2,900 for the cause.
This year, contributions reached a new record of $6,272, thanks in large part to a $4,000 donation by the 鈥溾�� established by Vancouver-based singer Blake Elliott Jr. (who prefers to go by mister Blake) a former teen pop star who was part of 鈥淢r Blake and the Crestwoods鈥� a Canadian group who took their name from the Richmond telephone exchange name and had a chart-topping hit with their version of 鈥� I Only Want To Be With You.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 from my music royalties,鈥� Blake elaborated, after arriving in a classic Cadillac convertible to take part in the ride.
He said the foundation has distributed more than $500,000 in donations to various worthy causes over the years, including the Happy Herd farm sanctuary in Aldergrove, Diabetes Canada, CKNW Orphan鈥檚 Fund, and AIDS awareness charities, to name a few.
Donations to the 91原创 campaign can also be made at the GoFundMe page for or by e-transfer.
For more information, email oldfartscarclub@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page .
More photos from this year鈥檚 ride can be viewed at the 91原创 Advance Times Facebook page.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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