Despite some challenging and testing problems, ‘Team Busy Bees’ completed their 7 day 7 country car rally across Europe, the only casualty being their 14 year old car.

Busy Bees Day Nurseries across the country sponsored Police Officer, Simon Ellis and his two team mates, in their attempt to complete an exciting tour around Europe to raise money for charity. The team raised nearly £1,500 for Busy Bees’ corporate charity for 2009, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Simon, whose wife is Leapfrog Nursery Manager at Guiseley in Leeds, named the rally ‘Team Busy Bees’. Simon and his team started their journey on 12th September, just a few miles south of Calais, France, where teams from across the UK gathered in anticipation of the arduous route ahead. From France, the team rallied through a further six countries, including Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, before ending their journey in Poland, covering a total of approximately 1575 miles!

The teams £50 Peugeot was treated to a makeover, transforming the little motor into a bumble bee, and won ‘Best Car Design’ award! Unfortunately the ‘Bumble Bee Car’ wasn’t up to the journey, and refused to go on after entering Switzerland. The resourceful trio managed to complete the route using public transport and lifts from fellow rally participants, miraculously reaching Poland on time.

Despite finishing second from last Simon Ellis stated "We remained determined to complete the rally, even if that meant doing it without a car.

Our objective was always to raise as much money as possible for the The Cystic Fibrosis Trust".

Simon, Matt and Craig have vowed to return next year with a bigger, better and more reliable car than their 'Bumble Bee', although it's design will remain a closely guarded secret.