There are memories from my childhood that I can still see, sense and feel, such as being overcome with excitement at the prospect of using a slide on my own for the first time - I slipped and fell off a giant one at the park. As well as losing a Wellington boot race at the final hurdle after leading the entire race, plus digging a hole at the beach so deep that I became trapped in it.
All fond and dear memories that my mother likes to remind/disclose to family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances and cold callers. However, none of those blissful moments compares to the hours I spent sitting on the square metre of burgundy carpet in my living room, that just so happened to be centred in front of Samsung’s (then) finest 32” TV, while I soaked up the time travelling thrills and titillations of 1985’s Back to the Future.
I remember, I’d watch the first half of the film almost every Saturday night before Blind Date, then as soon as Cilla waved goodbye and another ‘family stay-in Saturday night’ drew to a close (the name given by my Mother to a three hour time frame that required all family members to sit in the same room and watch TV every Saturday), I’d lurch forward and press play on the Dolby VCR to watch the rest. This routine went on for quite some time.
Countless hours were spent avidly avoiding conversation for fear of missing a key line I could mouth along to - or better still, leaping up from the patiently flattened piece of carpet, madly finger plucking the air guitar before me, while kicking and screaming along to Johnny B Goode. At the same time, my Granddad clutched at his chest and stifled expletives in the arm chair behind me from the shock of being woken by an obsessive air guitaring nine year old.
This continuous viewing of the film has left me as a terrifying ‘Back to the Future’ pub quiz specialist. It has also left me with a passion for anything to do with that film and the era it was released in. The clothing (I myself sport the double denim with sleeveless parker combination at the weekend), the language (I don’t refer to situations as ‘heavy’, but I do have an appreciation for those that do), as well as that famous time travelling vehicle - The DeLorean DMC-12.
Assembled in Dunmurray, Northern Ireland from 1981 till 1982, designed by the Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro, and engineered by Lotus Cars, the DoLorean is a striking and easily recognizable vehicle that has a special place in the heart of Back to the Future and car lovers alike.
The DeLorean DMC-12 consisted of stainless steel body panels, a rear-mounted 2.85 litre V-6 PRV (Peugeot, Renault, Volvo) engine, and stylish gull-wing doors, which only require 14-inches (35.5cm) of side clearance to open. They were available with either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox, all with standard interior colours of either black or grey. It was thought up by John Z. DeLorean - who founded the DeLorean Motor Company in 1974 – with the vision of an ‘affordable’ sports car.
Even today, the same reaction is experienced by anyone who spots the vehicle gracing the roads and highways of the world, even if they can’t remember where they know the vehicle from! Usually that reaction consists of pointing, a smile, as well as a flash of jealousy. Is there any other car out there (bar the top of the range sports cars and maybe the Ghostbusters 1959 Cadillac), that elicits such a reaction?
This love for the vehicle is the reason behind why Real Blokes (http://realblokes.co.uk/) and Cancer Relief UK (http://cancerreliefuk.org/) have teamed up to allow the residents of the UK a chance at glimpsing the DeLorean DMC-12., but not just any DeLorean DMC-12. That’s right, this one has a Flux Capacitor attached, whirring away with its magic.
The owner of the DeLorean has allowed Real Blokes and Cancer relief UK to use his vehicle for the noble cause of raising awareness about cancer, as well as to promote their drive to support those suffering with the disease. Both groups have helped to change countless lives by providing a fully committed mixture of advice, sympathy, as well as financial support.
Real Blokes was formed in January 2014 after one of the current team member’s friends lost their battle with cancer. This loss prompted the original members to create a group that would bring about change for those with the illness. They also wanted to create an organisation that would represent male cancer suffers - which they felt were underrepresented in the UK.
The group first came into existence as a Twitter group – providing information and facts on the illness, as well as detailing the work of other charities and events – but quickly gained members and recognition. The result being that they were now able to hold and organise their own events. The chosen beneficiary of these events is Cancer Relief UK due to its constant stellar efforts to assist those affected by cancer.
To gain an insight into the charity and what the future may hold for them, I spoke to Scott, a Real Blokes member: “It is hoped that Real Blokes will evolve into a much bigger organisation next year, with the possible inclusion of ladies into the programme as there are clearly no boundaries set by cancer and it involves all walks of life. The early discussions on this indicate that there will be a possible Real Ladies in the foreseeable future.
“As for the rest, it all depends on the public who enable Real Blokes and Cancer Relief UK to do our work, raise awareness and deliver change in the provisions of those who suffer cancer. We hope the public response, which has been huge from day one, will continue to grow in popularity and make both Real Blokes and Cancer Relief UK household names.”
When I pressed him about the use of a DeLorean, he stated that they wanted to make a statement and the famous vehicle will achieve that no end. This will especially work further when a calendar will be published for next year, featuring images of the DMC-12 and the Real Blokes, which will be sold to raise funds for Cancer Relief UK.
Here at startrescue.co.uk, we felt that such an admirable act of generosity deserved recognition, as well as any support we could possibly provide. startrescue.co.uk is therefore delighted to help by organising the transportation of the special DMC-12 to the event and back to its owner, absolutely free of charge – whilst working with our very supportive recovery network.
For the chance to see a piece of film history (with Flux Capacitor), as well as the opportunity to meet the Real Blokes team, please find the location details and times below. However, it’s worth remembering that this is a very special group, with a very special cause. They have given up their time and money to allow us a moment of magic. A moment that, sadly, many of the people they’re doing it for won’t have the chance to enjoy themselves due to the severity of their illness.
So come down and support a wonderful group trying to provide us with fond memories of the past, so others can have fond memories in the future.
7th June 2014: 13:00 -13:30
Bright Lights Studio
Unit 3, Draycott Mills
Draycott
Derby
DE72 3NB
Breakdown Cover from 
