A RETIRED banger racer has raised nearly £9,000 for a Poole hospice, after taking part in one last race meet.

The Stanley family, who live on Alder Hills, organised the Pete Standley - One Last Time Retirement Meeting at Matchams, near Ringwood, to mark the end of Pete's 45 years of racing.

Pete's daughter Sammy-Jo, 23, came up with the idea for a retirement meeting, but Pete only agreed if he could use it to raise money Forest Holme Hospice.

The charity provides end of life care and support to more than 1,000 people each year with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses across Poole, Wimborne and the Isle of Purbeck.

The hospice, which needs to raise £850,000 this year, was chosen by the Stanley family as they had provided care, support and counselling when Sammy-Jo’s nan was ill and when her mum, Linda, had a cancer diagnosis.

Sammy-Jo said: "Dad isn’t one for enjoying any attention so his initial reaction to the idea of a retirement meeting was just as I expected. However, a couple of weeks later he said, ‘you know that retirement meeting, maybe we could do it but I want it to go to charity.’

"I started to piece together an event which included all Pete’s wishes, from his favourite drivers, to his style of racing and then, of course, picking a charity very close to his heart.Forest Holme hospice means a lot to me because it helped at a time when I felt alone and struggled to cope. Their kind staff were there every step of the way supporting me and my family.”

The all-day event attracted thousands of visitors, featured ten races with a total of 104 cars involved, including Pete’s very own ‘Stan The Man’ Jaguar XJ6 Series 3, which he built with Sammy-Jo.

Paul Tucker, fundraising and communications manager at Forest Holme, said: “Words can’t describe how grateful we are for this incredible donation which will help us to continue enhancing the quality of life for our patients and their families.

"Sammy-Jo has worked so hard to make this event happen and I’m sure her dad, Pete, is very proud of what she has achieved. Every little detail was thought of, from Forest Holme logos on all the rosettes to regular tannoy announcements at the event promoting the charity.”