Ford has supplied British Gas with an all-new Ford Tourneo Custom that will travel thousands of miles on UK roads this summer, helping to raise £1 million for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

The British Gas "Swims Britain" challenge aims to encourage thousands of the energy company's staff and their families to take part in swimming challenges across the UK, from Windsor in the South of England, to Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland.

British Gas sponsorship manager Matthew Leopold said: "It's a massive challenge. We want to get all of the British Gas team involved in this huge charity swimming event, from office and sales staff, to the engineers in the power stations and the people out driving their Ford Transit vans every day."

The aquatic-themed Ford Tourneo Custom, a long wheelbase model, is powered by a Dagenham-built 125PS 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine. The vehicle is well-equipped for the UK tour, with nine seats, a 230-volt power converter and Ford's satellite navigation system.

Leopold added: "We wanted a vehicle that British Gas staff could relate to but could provide added comfort and flexibility, and the Ford Tourneo Custom fits the bill perfectly."

Ford of Britain fleet director, Phil Hollins, said: "This is a fantastic challenge to be associated with and Ford is proud to support the charity's worthy cause. The provision of an all-new, eye-catching Tourneo Custom to British Gas will hopefully help to raise a significant sum of money for Great Ormond Street."

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