Surrey girl, 18, is chosen as Young Ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust at Chris Evans’ CarFest presented by bp pulse

Published: 20th March 2024
Read Time: 6 mins

Introducing 11 young ambassadors of its charity partners, inspiring everyone to #DoMoreGood

(Odille, 18, pictured above, from Surrey is this year’s ambassador)

CarFest presented by bp pulse, the renowned family-fundraising festival founded by Chris Evans, is on a mission to #DoMoreGood and continue to make a difference to the lives of young children and their families across the UK. All the festival’s attendees are directly helping to create a positive impact, as a percentage of every ticket sold goes towards eight amazing charities - helping kids, teens, and families up and down the country.

The family-fundraising festival has unveiled 11 individuals as the ‘Faces’ of this year's Do More Good Week initiative, with each one serving as a representative for one of the festival's eight charity partners. These partnerships result in crucial funding, directly enhancing and transforming lives across the UK. Throughout this week (Monday 25th March to Sunday 31st March), the chosen individuals are opening up and sharing their impactful stories, providing festival-goers with a profound understanding of the real-life difference their attendance makes.

Launched in 2012, CarFest has been a stalwart supporter of UK children’s charities, generating over £25 million for its charitable partners since its inception. Scheduled over the Bank Holiday weekend of 23rd-25th August at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, CarFest presented by bp pulse will feature seven distinct yet connected festivals in one: AdventureFest, FoodFest, KidsFest, RetroFest, StarFest, SpaFest, and, of course, CarFest!

Odille, 18, from Surrey is this year’s ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust. When Odille was 16, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma after finding a lump in her neck. She was treated in the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and had chemotherapy for four months.The diagnosis also meant that Odille at just 16, like many young girls battling cancer had to also undergo fertility treatments in order to preserve her eggs, despite it meaning a delayed start to chemotherapy, remarking on this Odille states:

“I started the fertility treatment in December and was having to inject myself with the medicines multiple times a day…We were just in a weird waiting period before the chemo started, so it was hanging over us a bit.”

Throughout this time, Odille was provided with a Youth Support Coordinator, Lara. She became a friend to Odille during this hard time, putting on events and even attended the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Find Your Sense of Tumour event (FYSOT) with Odille, where Odille was also able to make new friends.

Talking about her time with Teenage Cancer Trust and Lara, Odille states:

“Lara, Teenage Cancer Trust’s Youth Support Coordinator, came to introduce herself to me. She told me about Teenage Cancer Trust and how she could help me. She’s lovely and easy to talk to. Lara put on events to help pass the time such as sewing, where I made a donut cushion, art, beat boxing, and ukulele lessons. Lara gave us all Easter eggs, and she arranged for dogs to come and visit the unit.”

Odille is just one of many young people that CarFest presented by bp pulse has helped make a difference for, thanks to its partnership with the Teenage Cancer Trust. Every ticket sold provides crucial funding for specialised nurses, youth workers, and dedicated hospital units within the NHS.

Founder Chris Evans expressed, “CarFest exists for one purpose – to raise as much money as possible for UK based children’s charities. The fact that every single visitor to CarFest directly impacts how much we raise and how we help young people like Odille is what makes it so special. Do More Good Week is about coming together as a community to make even more of a difference in the lives of others less fortunate around the added heat of our spring launch for this year’s main event”.

Of course, CarFest wouldn’t be complete without a line-up of star-studded talent! X- Factor icon Olly Murs,Eurovision heavyweight Sam Ryder, queen of British soul and our hearts Beverley Knight, pop rock legends Scouting for Girls, and reggae pop fusion pioneers UB40 ft Ali Campbell are just a few of the musical treats in store. Stay tuned for regular talent announcements, including the return of festival favourites and lots of new special guests.

Beyond the music, CarFest presented by bp pulse will host celebrities such as actor Rob Brydon, car aficionado James May, astronaut Tim Peake, and comedian Ben Miller along with renowned chefs and wellness experts. See these captivating personalities as they share hilarious and heartwarming anecdotes and unveil inside scoops, ensuring an enthralling experience all weekend!

Since its inception in 2012, the festival’s core mission has been to raise funds for UK children's charities. In 2024, the festival will be supporting BBC Children in Need, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, My Black Dog, Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Young Epilepsy, and the local Hampshire-based charity Naomi House & Jacksplace.

The brainchild of radio presenter Chris Evans, the festival will be entering its 13th edition this August, and it promises to be the best yet. With enough activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained, it’s the perfect way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend.

Tickets are now on sale 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.

Fundraising details: All profits from CarFest, including a percentage 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 six 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)
My Black Dog (Registered Charity No.1182690 in England & Wales)
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 6% will be donated to a number of other charities that will be confirmed over the coming months, including charities local to CarFest event sites.

2024 HEADLINE PARTNER:

bp pulse is the headline partner for CarFest 2024

bp pulse provides fast charging for electric vehicles. The bp pulse EV charging network is one of the UK’s largest – and includes the UK's biggest public EV charging hub at the NEC in Birmingham.

Plug into fast, rapid and ultra-fast chargers – in ultra-convenient locations. Whether you’re shopping for groceries or staying in a hotel – just plug in, power up and go.

2024 FEATURE PARTNERS:

CarFest is supported by a number of key partners:

Costa Coffee is the Official Coffee of CarFest and host of The Big Early
Cuisinart is the Food Experiences Partner
Dulux is the SpaFest Stage Partner
Kwik Fit and Michelin are the Track, Motorsport Paddock & Driver's Lounge Partner
Napoleon Grills is the Big BBQ Cookout Partner
Skoda is the Explore-More Stage Partner
Timothy Taylor's hosts the BarFest Arms at the festival

SUPPORTED BY:

The festival is also supported by: