A Mini owners meet up event is set to take place in Cowley, with the aim of supporting the millions of children living in poverty in the UK.

The third annual 'Italian Job Mile of Mini' event gears up on April 28 with organisers having issued a national appeal to both classic and modern Mini owners to participate in a day of safe, family-friendly driving.

Costing £28 per car, the event not only guarantees admission for two people per car but also includes a ‘Jobbers’ Road Book for the day, sticker and badge.

All funds generated from car registrations and an additional £50 per team donation will enable Buttle UK, the charity beneficiary, to continue to provide financial help to local families struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Buttle UK will use 100 per cent of the raised funds to provide items such as children's beds and school uniforms.

More than 150 Minis are expected to gather at the Mini Plant in Cowley, Oxford before they venture on an off-road driving experience through Oxfordshire and into South Warwickshire.

The day's main attraction promises to be a tour of the 'JLR Classic', the classic and works division of Jaguar Land Rover, situated south of Coventry.

'JLR Classic' houses a selection of the world's finest and rarest classic Jaguars and Land Rovers.

Joseph Howes, CEO of Buttle UK, said: "Across Buttle UK’s grant giving, application rates have been 60 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.

"With soaring prices, the impact of food and fuel poverty is alarming.

"The cyclical nature of financial difficulties and their effect on children's mental health and educational outcomes will only worsen as this ongoing crisis persists.

"Families need our help more than ever before - so come join us on this fantastic day out, and help us give children in the region a better chance at life."

Giulia St George, co-founder and organiser of The Italian Job events, added: "For anyone taking part this year I can guarantee lots of fun, smiles, noise, colour, and spectacle."

In the past 33 years, The Italian Job has successfully raised more than £3 million for children living in poverty.

The Mile of Mini event itself has, so far, contributed over £30,000.

According to Buttle UK's ‘State of Child Poverty Survey’ published in 2023, 60 per cent of frontline workers reported that the children they worked with were living in destitution, a 15 per cent rise from 2022.

The Mile of Mini takes place on Sunday April 28, 2024.