Amandeep Sirha – managing director of Bsmart Autocentre pulled out all the stops to fundraise for local charities

A stunning event featured 24 sensational looking show cars all in an effort to raise funds for the world-leading palliative care organisation – St Gemmas Hospice, and for mental health charity Mind.

Amandeep Sirha, managing director of Bsmart Autocentre in Leeds, lost her grandmother to cancer recently and says she had a dream while on holiday in Dubai, after which she felt the urgent need to do something for charity.

With reallocated funds originally put away for a new site location for her business, Amandeep, backed by her team and a cohort of business donating prizes for the raffle, set about arranging a sensational fundraiser to help pull in the crowds and hit their fundraising mission.

“We as a team have always wanted to do something which was giving back to our local community,” explains Amandeep.

“So, with that in mind we wanted to pick charities that was a common theme with anyone that we spoke to.

BSMART TEAM: (top row l-r) Gurmy Sirha, Raihiem Singh, Danny Rabbeth, Baldev Sirha, Manny Sirha and Natalie Pemberton (second row l-r) Managing Director Amandeep Sirha and Bina Sirha

“St Gemmas and Leeds Mind were chosen because some of us have had family member or friends’ families that have passed away from cancer or life-threatening illnesses; and without the fantastic work and support of places like St Gemmas I’m not sure we would have coped.

“Many of us have suffered with our mental health whether it be the effects of pandemic or that life has just got too much for us and we can’t see a way out and sometimes our loved ones aren’t the people we want to share our troubles with.

“This is where Leeds Mind can step in and help us with coping strategies and promote good mental health.

“We want to thank every single person that has made this event possible. Thank you to everyone that has taken time out to bring their cars to make this event special, thank to all the businesses that have donated a raffle prize, and a huge thank you to my team that made this event possible.”

A total of £3,650.55 was raised, which has been split between St Gemmas Hospice and Leeds Mind.