On Sunday 26th April, over 100 mini’s rallied cross-country from MINI Plant Oxford to MINI UK headquarters in Farnborough and raised over £10,000 for Stop.Breathe.Think’s work with young people across the UK.
The Italian Job has raised over £3.2 million for children’s charities, with their flagship UK-based fundraiser – The Mile of MINI’s – once again bringing together passionate MINI owners who embodied putting the fun into fundraising with this year’s event.
The day started with a warm welcome from Markus Grüneisl, Managing Director at MINI Plant Oxford, before the 100+ engines were fired up and the horns started tooting for a parade around the plant before taking to the open roads. In convoy, and winding through the picturesque villages and varied roads between Oxfordshire and Surrey, smiles were plentiful as the vast range of MINI’s in all their varieties twisted and turned on route to MINI UK headquarters, with the chequered flag being waved by Mike Cooper OBE to greet everyone on arrival.
Italian Job organiser Freddie St George MBE, said:
‘The Italian Job is delighted to support Stop.Breathe.Think. in their critical work. We are impressed to see how S.B.T. are changing the way counselling support for children and young people challenged by poor mental health, is delivered across the UK. We are proud that the money raised by the Mile of MINI’s 2026 will fund upwards of 300 hours of counselling for those who need it most’.
With coffees, cakes and ice creams in hand, all participants were welcomed by David Beattie, UK Director of MINI UK, who proudly donated a cheque of £1,000 in support of the days fundraising.
Dan Keeley – Community Director for SBT – then took to the stage who said:
‘We couldn’t be more grateful to the Italian Job, David, Markus, Mike and all the participants who’ve made the day so special. With 5 years of impact so far, and over 30,000 counselling sessions delivered, the funds raised from Mile of MINI’s 2026 will ensure our impact is even greater looking to the future.’
In total, Mile of MINI’s 2026 has raised over £10,000 for SBT’s work which will fund quick access to over 300 counselling sessions for children and young people nationally.
To the Italian Job and everyone involved, thank you all!
