TrustFord is hoping to raise funds for Cancer Research UK with a one penny auction which has raised £35,000 since 2014.

The competition, to be launched on Friday (2nd) gives participants the chance to bid on a brand new Ford Transit Courier van from as little as 1p on eBay.

Bidding will end a week later at 23:59 on December 9th.

This year’s event is aimed at SMEs and budding entrepreneurs, with an opportunity to see in 2017 with a new van to help drive their business.

Not only do bidders have the opportunity to buy the van for less than its £15,000 price tag, TrustFord will also add business livery for free.

Head of Marketing, Julia Greenhough, who leads the TrustFord partnership with Cancer Research UK said: “Cancer Research UK is a wonderful charity and its vital work into beating cancer helps so many of us.

“We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to raise much needed funds and over the last three years our One Penny Auction has been hugely successful.

“This year we wanted to focus on small businesses. For many new companies a reliable van is one of the most important assets required for setting up on your own.

“It can also be one of the biggest investments. That’s why we hope that the opportunity to buy a brand new van for less than its original price will be very enticing for those entrepreneurs looking for a little help to get their business up and running in 2017.”

Cancer Research UK is TrustFord’s official charity partner.

On November 18th staff from the Ford Motor Company-owned group raised over £1,255 by undertaking a very unique twist on the ice bucket challenge; the first ever Ice Bath Ranger Challenge.

The chilly charity challenge took place at TrustFord’s new Dagenham Transit Centre, which opened earlier this year and saw four senior colleagues submerged into a freezing ice bath in the back of a Ford Ranger.