A SELF-confessed ‘petrolhead’ from South Petherton has been honoured for his work raising money for veterans through his passion for anything with an engine.

Benn Laidler and colleague Steve Shaw, from Torque Events, have been awarded the Sir James Gildea Global Award by Armed Forces charity SSAFA.

The Sir James Gildea Awards were created to recognise the staff – voluntary and paid – for their exceptional contributions and commitment to SSAFA’s activities and values.

This year, they were presented at SSAFA’s Annual Members’ Meeting at the Victory Services Club in London on July 11 by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, SSAFA president.

Both Benn and Steve have spent decades in the British Armed Forces.

Benn, who lives in South Petherton with wife Claire and children Eloise and Ethan, served 23 years in the Army Air Corps and was deployed in conflict zones around the world.

Steve spent more than 40 years in the Royal Navy, serving in operations in the Mediterranean, the Gulf, the Barents Sea, and the Far East.

They have fundraised for military charities since 2010, and first approached SSAFA in 2014.

In 2022, the two joined forces to create Torque Events with three directors of Company X Consulting Group, who were substantial investors in Steve and Benn’s 2022 charity event.

It made sense to combine the financial power of the Company X Consulting Group with the motoring, fundraising passion and drive of Benn and Steve.

Together, they created Torque Events, which arranges luxury, fully-escorted, driving events and tours across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Benn said: “To date we have raised more than £750,000 for military charities.

“We first approached SSAFA in 2014 and were so impressed with their wide range of work across the breadth of the Armed Forces community.

“SSAFA have been a fully supportive partner over the last 10 years.”

The two men are now gearing up for the 2024 edition of their flagship event, A Driving Force for SSAFA.

The biennial event involves 100 people, in 50 vehicles, including participants and support vehicles, taking on a 10-day trip across scenic European routes.

This year, the route will cover the Iberian Peninsula and Gibraltar from July 30 to August 9, with the aim of raising £120,000 for SSAFA.

A SSAFA spokesperson said: “Benn and Steve have done a remarkable job raising funds for SSAFA, while simultaneously providing hundreds of people with an unforgettable experience cruising through the UK and Europe’s most scenic spots in classic and modern cars.

“All at SSAFA send Benn and Steve their heartfelt congratulations on receiving the Sir James Gildea Global Partner Award.”

For more information, visit torque.events and adrivingforce.co.uk.