11-Year-Old Abbas Chosen as the Face of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity in Support of CarFest presented by bp pulse

Published: 21st March 2025
Read Time: 7 mins

With the ambassadors of its charity partners, CarFest aims to inspire the nation to #DoMoreGood

CarFest presented by bp pulse was created by Chris Evans in 2012, with a simple yet profound purpose - to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thirteen years on, this mission remains at the heart of everything CarFest does. Visitors come to this family-fundraising festival to hear incredible music, make memories with loved ones, and be part of something bigger. 100% of profits from every ticket sold goes towards seven incredible charities supporting children, teens, and families across the UK.

This year, CarFest will be raising funds for BBC Children in Need which receives 50% of the total funds raised. Other national charity partners, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust and Young Epilepsy, who will each receive 7% of the funds raised. Local Hampshire based charity Naomi’s House & Jacksplace will receive 2%. The remaining 13% will be donated to additional causes, including those local to the CarFest event site. Every ticket purchased contributes directly to supporting these incredible causes.

This year’s Do More Good Week shines a spotlight on these charities by sharing the stories of several young ambassadors - extraordinary children whose lives have been changed by CarFest’s support. Since 2012, CarFest has raised over £25 million for its charitable partners, and in 2024 alone, an impressive £1.26 million was donated. This August Bank Holiday (22nd-24th), CarFest returns to Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, featuring six festivals rolled into one: FoodFest, KidsFest, RetroFest, SpaFest, StarFest, and Cars at CarFest.

Abbas, 11, who loves cars and yellow Lamborghinis, has been chosen as this year’s ambassador for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which supports families caring for a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Aged six, Abbas was diagnosed with Dystonia Motor Disorder caused by a GNA01 gene mutation, an extremely rare neurological condition affecting movement and coordination.

Abbas is now non-verbal, tube fed and is on a machine at night to help monitor his oxygen and breathing. Dilara cares for him 24/7.

Rainbow Trust began providing practical and emotional support to the family in July 2023, which has made a huge difference. Before Rainbow Trust, Dilara could not leave Abbas alone so had little respite.

Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker Cindy takes Abbas out to the shops and plays with him, giving Dilara a break and someone to confide in. It has also enabled Dilara to attend big family events for the first time in years.

Without Rainbow Trust Dilara’s life would have been much harder.

Dilara said: “Cindy has made such a difference; I can trust her alone with Abbas. When Cindy's here, I can take my mind off Abbas for a while and focus on things I need to get done. She is one of those people that I really rely on.

“I can leave Abbas with her the whole day. I'm relaxed with Cindy. She sits down with me, and I can talk freely which gets everything out of my system.

“Rainbow Trust is amazing. Abbas is always waiting for Cindy to come. When I say Cindy is coming today, he’s really happy.” A huge fan of all cars, Abbas is especially excited to attend CarFest this year.

Dilara added, “He cannot wait for all the activities and cars. His favourite is a yellow Lamborghini.”

Zillah Bingley, Chief Executive of Rainbow Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to have been chosen as a national charity partner for CarFest 2025. The funds raised will make a vital difference to seriously ill children and their families.

This year, 10% of ticket sales and all festival profits will go directly to these charities, ensuring that more children like Abbas can find joy, confidence, and adventure beyond their diagnosis.

This summer, global pop sensation Rita Ora will headline the Main Stage on Saturday 23rd August. That’s not all, and alongside Rita, fans can enjoy a whole host of acts, including the rock-tastic Travis, folk-rock musician Tom Walker, 80s pop sensations Madness as well as the smooth blues of Seasick Steve to name a few.

CarFest 2025 will be the best yet, celebrating music, family fun, and fundraising all in one place. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend! Tickets are available now at www.carfest.org.

Ends

Editors notes

About CarFest

CarFest is the brainchild of radio presenter Chris Evans. Featuring an incredible combination of cars, food, live music and family entertainment, the inaugural weekend event was staged at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire in August 2012.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity:

Marking its 40th anniversary in 2026, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

There are an estimated 86,000* children in England with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Thousands of families have to face the very real possibility that their child may die and struggle to cope on a day-to-day basis. Our Family Support Workers provide a lifeline to these families and children.

When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.

Supporting families across the UK, Rainbow Trust has nine Care teams of Family Support Workers and an online family support team. Its Care Teams are in: Essex, Southampton, the South West, London & the South East, Greater Manchester, the Kentown Support Team in Lancaster, the North East, Thames Valley and Liverpool.

Rainbow Trust supports the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. It can include:

Listening to a family’s fears and anxieties
Helping to explain illnesses, diagnoses and treatments
Keeping a seriously ill child company during hospital stays
Driving families to medical appointments to help save time and money
Organising fun activities to help sick children and their brothers and sisters
Supporting families with an ill baby on the neonatal unit
Providing bereavement support if a child dies.

Visit Rainbowtrust.org.uk

*Make Every Child Count study, University of York, 2020

For more press information or opportunities please contact:

Clare Youings – Marketing and Communications Manager

Tel: 01372 220045; Mob: 07944 253066

Email: clare.youings@rainbowtrust.org.uk

Fundraising details:

All profits from CarFest, including 10% of the price of each ticket, will be donated to UK children’s charities.

BBC Children in Need (a charity registered in England and Wales under number 802052 and in Scotland under number SC039557) will receive 50% of the total funds raised.
The following charities will each receive 7% of the total funds raised:
Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (Registered Charity No.1096491 in England & Wales and SCO44013 in Scotland)
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity (Registered Charity No. 1070532)
Starlight Children’s Foundation (Registered Charity No.1062559 in England & Wales and SC039757 in Scotland)
Teenage Cancer Trust (Registered Charity No.1062559 in England & Wales and SC039757)
Young Epilepsy (Registered Charity No. Charity 311877 in England & Wales).
Local Hampshire based hospice, Naomi's House & Jacksplace (Registered Charity No.1002832), will receive 2% of funds.
The remaining 13% will be donated to a number of other charities that will be confirmed over the coming months, including charities local to the CarFest event site.

2025 HEADLINE PARTNER: bp pulse

bp pulse is bp’s electric vehicle (EV) charging business. It is one of the leading rapid and ultra-fast public EV charging networks in the UK and operates one of the largest number of sites with ultra-fast charging in Germany.
Focused on fast, reliable charging, bp pulse is rolling out charge points to consumers wherever they need them: destination, on-the-go and bp forecourts.
EV charging is one of the key growth engines driving bp's transformation to an integrated energy company. The company aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide.
bp’s here for your travel needs – mostly with petrol and diesel – but bp pulse already has over 3000 rapid and ultra-fast charging points

2025 FEATURE PARTNERS

CarFest is supported by a number of key partners:

Cuisinart is the Official Food Experiences Partner incorporating The Chef’s Stage, The Kitchen Table and The Cook’s Companion
Mazda is The StarFest Stage and Club CarFest Partner
Michelin and Protyre Autocare are the Track, Paddock and Driver’s Lounge Partners
Napoleon Grills is sponsor of The Big BBQ Cookout
Timothy Taylor’s is the Official Beer Partner and hosts the BarFest Arms at the festival
Prestige Flowers is the Official Floral Partner and Sponsor of The Designer Village

SUPPORTED BY: