"With such a small car, we can only take a small bag of clothes, which has to include a suit and evening dress for the black-tie dinner at the finish of the event."
It's worth it though, says Helen, to be part of the event that will raise thousands for the charity KidsCan, which provides food, clothing and basic health care in schools, for disadvantaged Kiwi children.
"The run is held every second year - this is the second time we have done it - and each time it raises funds for a different charity. Last time we raised $188,000 for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand."
The Minis travel in small groups, rather than in a convoy, to avoid disrupting other road users. They gather en masse in each town as they travel, stopping off to gather donations and let people enjoy the classic cars.
"We take up a whole deck on the Cook Strait ferry - it's quite a sight. We get smiles wherever we go. No one can resist a Mini. "
Helen and Steve have found it hard to resist Minis as well. They have, over the last few years, "rescued" and restored more than 50 of the small cars.
"That's why our car is sign-written with 'Team Mini Rescue'. We save them from the scrap-heap. If people don't save them they will be gone forever. But they are coming back into fashion as retro becomes more popular.
"I think Minis are in my blood. Initially our kids thought we were crazy, then they all wanted one. Now we are getting requests from the grandkids."
You can follow the Pork
Pie Charity Run online, at:
porkpie.co.nz
