Professional British racing driver, Oliver Webb has launched a ‘Beat the Champ’ racing simulator challenge at The Mall Walthamstow, to raise funds for two local charities. The challenge, which goes live on Monday 24 May and will run for two weeks over the half-term holiday, is a fun and engaging activity for families of all ages.

The racing simulator was donated by local business, Sana Mechanical & Electrical and sponsored by Walthamstow-based Grayers Graphics, which provided all the graphics for the challenge. It is located in a vacant unit The Mall, in between Incoming Coffee and Sports Direct.

As soon as the simulator was installed in the shopping centre, Oliver raced over to test drive the equipment and set a lap time for guests wishing to take up the challenge. Participants will get to complete four laps and the driver with the fastest time will receive a spectacular prize, donated by Oliver, including VIP passes to the BTCC British Tour Car Championship for the GT Championship and the opportunity to meet Oliver Webb himself.

For a chance to beat Oliver and win big, The Mall is asking shoppers to donate £5 via its Just Giving pages:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/beat-the-champ?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-branches-appeal?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Eager racers will then need to show proof of their donation to a member of staff at The Mall before jumping into the driving seat.

All donations from the challenge will be split between two local charities, Branches and Walthamstow Salvation Army. Branches offers resettlement support for single, homeless people aged between 18-65 years in its 27-bed hostel. The Walthamstow-based charity provides life-skills, education and training to support greater self-sufficiency and independence.

Walthamstow Salvation Army works all year round with agencies and charities to support families in crisis. In the run-up to Christmas, it also collects toys and gifts for those in need. Last year, The Mall joined forces with the Salvation Army to help promote its Christmas Present Appeal.

Julie Pell, Co-Leader of the Walthamstow Salvation Army said: “We are extremely grateful to The Mall for its support. This will make a huge difference as we continue to provide practical support to local residents who are facing crisis.”

Richard Jones, Community Marketing Manager at The Mall, commented: “We wanted to make use of the vacant space and raise vital funds and awareness for two wonderful local charities and thought that this would be a fun and exciting way to do it. Sana’s Managing Director, Sanel Sljivar and Director of Business Development, George Blundell are big motorsport fans and offered to loan us their racing simulator for the challenge. We were thrilled that Oliver offered to come and support our initiative and are very grateful for his generous prize, which is a must-have experience for any motorsport enthusiast.”