Stories

There was no mistaking Joanne Malin's guest for her radio show feature about a charity car rally to help children cope with the effects of cancer.

Sali Gray with her pink Nissan Micra

That's because Sali Gray was as pink as the cavalcade of cars she'll be leading from Hereford Hospital to Birmingham Children's Hospital to raise money for the Little Princess Trust.

The charity provides real hair wigs specially designed for children who are suffering hair loss due to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.

Pink, pink, pink!

Dressed from head to toe in the colour, including a matching purse and bag, Sali found herself being interviewed by BBC WM's very own 'Pink Lady'.

"I've said it many times before, I love the colour pink!" enthuses Joanne.

The Pink Ladies: Sali and Joanne at WM

"My hairbrush is pink, my notebook is pink; everything's pink, pink, pink! I'm as big a fan as my little niece Phoebe, but I've never gone as far as buying a pink car...".

Mother-of-three Sali was on Joanne's show to explain why she's appealing for motorist with pink vehicles to take part in the rally on Sunday 6 September.

Real hair wigs

The life-coach drives a baby pink Nissan Micra. She decided her unusually-coloured car could be put to good use when she was put on the spot about fundraising ideas at the charity's AGM.

"When the charity started to talk about bringing in a PR company to raise awareness of the charity I offered to help because I wanted to see the money spent on wigs," explains Sali.

An unusual Land Rover

"I wanted to do something and thinking on my feet I said, 'Why don't we do a pink car rally?'

"I've seen how little girls wave at me in my car and stare open-mouthed as though I'm Barbie, and the older girls just scream at you as you drive past as though you're famous.

"It can be so embarrassing but also fun.

Second all-pink rally

"Before I knew it I was getting caught up in the moment and was volunteering to organise a rally a year with the fifth one being from John O'Groats to Land's End!

"I heard it come out of my mouth before I heard what I was saying!"

This is the second all-pink car rally Sali's organised. Last year's rally saw cars travel to Bristol Children's Hospital.

'Plastic pink'

Sali hopes to raise £1,200 in sponsorship herself for this year's Brum rally, which she says will pay for four real hair children's wigs.

Travelling in procession

According to the charity LPT, the NHS will supply synthetic wigs or hats but high quality real hair wigs are very expensive and hard to obtain in children's sizes.

The Trust says it has specialist suppliers and experienced hairdressers who tailor wigs to individual children so it is as close as possible to their original hair.

After dark

The rally will start at 10am at Hereford Hospital with cars leaving at 10.30am and travelling along the A38 in procession with breaks along the route.

Pink car cavalcade

Participants are being urged to raise sponsorship themselves and donations can also be made via the website.

Sali, mother to son Alex, 18, and daughters Sophie, 17, and Lissy, 12, adds: "As a single parent I think it's hardest for my son having a pink car.

"He will go in it but generally only after dark!"