Gary Barlow Hands Over The Keys To The 'Children In Need' Bentley GT Convertible

The Bentley was the star of the show at a fundraising auction for BBC Children in Need last November when Brendan and Barbara Ainscough bid £240,000* for the convertible after Gary Barlow upped the stakes by promising to hand over the car in person.

The opportunity for a personal handover was an offer Mr and Mrs Ainscough couldn’t refuse and Gary honoured his commitment by meeting the Ainscoughs at Bentley’s factory in Crewe yesterday afternoon to hand over the keys.

Congratulating Mr and Mrs Ainscough on their winning bid, Gary Barlow said:

“I’m delighted to present Mr and Mrs Ainscough with the keys to their new GTC.  We all had high hopes that the Bentley would raise a significant amount of money for BBC Children in Need, but their generous bid exceeded all expectations.  Their donation will make a real difference to some of the UK's most disadvantaged children being supported by BBC Children in Need"

Completed to the Ainscough’s personal specifications, the car is all the more unique as it includes the signatures of Gary and loyal BBC Children in Need supporters Sir Terry Wogan and Fearne Cotton inscribed into the passenger airbag panel.

Brendan Ainscough said:

“This is a very special occasion for myself and Barbara and we are absolutely thrilled that Gary has joined us here today to hand over the keys.  The auction was a unique opportunity to buy a car we know we will love driving whilst raising money for an important cause that means a great deal to both of us”.

*The auction was part of the Gala Dinner organised by Gary Barlow in Manchester and the winning bid for the GTC contributed £120,000 to the final record breaking total of £46million raised by BBC Children in Need in 2011.