Drive-it Day campaign opens with £5k boost from Messerschmitt Enthusiasts Club
Published: 29/01/2026
The 2026 Drive-it Day and Ride-it Day campaign is now well-underway, with rally ‘plates selling well online at https://www.driveitday.co.uk/
The campaign has got off to a flying start, thanks to a £5,000 donation by the Messerschmitt Enthusiasts Club, which is sponsoring the production costs of this year's plates - meaning that even more money will be raised for the NSPCC's Childline charity.
Drive-it Day and Ride-it Day is on Sunday 26 April 2026 and we have a range of plates in different sizes and types to suit all vehicles.
This year's event was formally launched at the Federation's annual Club Expo event at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, when the first sales were made, with hard-working NSPCC volunteer Carol Lyndon MBE making one of the first sales of the day to Josh Perry of Borrow a Classic (pictured).
We are also selling plates in person from the Federation’s stand in Hall 5 at the Practical Classics Car & Restoration Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on 20-22 March.
We are very grateful for a substantial donation of £5,000 by the Messerschmitt Enthusiasts Club, which is an excellent start to this year’s fundraising for the NSPCC’s Childline.
The club says: “After almost 60 years of support and friendship to owners and those just interested in our marque, the Messerschmitt Enthusiasts Club (MEC) is regrettably closing due to the decrease in active involvement by our small and ageing membership along with continued difficulties in recruiting club officials.
“Over the years, the Club has built up a reserve of funds from the sale of vehicle parts and the Committee unanimously agreed that the monies should be put towards specific projects where the MEC’s legacy could be seen to have made a difference.
“Over the years, many of our members have enjoyed being part of Drive-it Day using our little cars for ‘runs out’ or ‘meets’ and the Federation has perhaps gently cajoled those whose cars generally remain locked away for most of the year.
“The assistance the Federation has given to all classic vehicle owners and their clubs is second to none. The MEC would like to acknowledge that by supporting the production of the 2026 Drive-it Day vehicle plates thereby boosting fundraising for the Federation’s chosen charity.
“In this way, all MEC members out in their cars on 26 April can be proud that collectively we are very much part of the day, and feel good that our small, informal, friendly and enthusiastic club has helped such a worthy cause.’’
“Naturally, we want to assist with the Messerschmitt movement and ongoing discussions are taking place to crystalise our input there.”
National Drive-It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005. It is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the round-Britain 'One Thousand Mile Trial' organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle.
It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping our transport heritage on UK roads.
The many clubs that comprise the Federation's membership plan and schedule regional and local events throughout the country, which are listed on our website here: https://www.driveitday.co.uk/events
The event raises funds for Childline - the free, private and confidential service where anyone under 19 in the UK can talk about any issue they’re going through, with trained counsellors. Started in 1986 by Esther Rantzen, in 2006 Childline became part of the NSPCC and is available any time, day or night.
More details about Drive-it Day and our association with Childline are here: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/drive-it-day
