Hundreds of Minis convoy Somerset for fundraising 'legend'

Pride of Britain winner Terry, from Minehead, died on April 11 at the age of 71.

Terry started 'Small Cars, Big Hearts' for Mini owners looking to "raise money and smiles". The organisation has raised over £600,000 for charities including Children's Hospice South West and Great Ormond Street.

He co-founded the Legendary Grand Tour with his wife Linda, which sees 250 Minis convoy through North Devon each year for charity. It will be returning in August in memory of Terry.

On Friday,  hundreds of Minis turned out to convoy from Minehead to Taunton Crematorium for Terry’s funeral service.

Terry and Linda married in 1975 and lived in Bideford, North Devon, for 27 years, where Terry ran his garage Mainly Minis, and co-founded the North Devon Mini Register Club.

Linda and Terry, with his Pride of Britain award (Image: Amanda-Louise Funeral Services)

The couple later moved to Minehead to be close to their daughters, Nicola and Leigh, and their grandchildren.

They began raising money for Children's Hospice South West in 1996 when they surprised a young Mini fan with a visit. Terry grew the annual Legendary Grand Tour by recruiting Mini owners at the London to Brighton Mini run, making "wonderful friends" along the way.

'In loving memory of Terry Baker' (Image: Amanda-Louise Funeral Services)

In 2018, Terry won a Pride of Britain award for his decades of fundraising for the Children's Hospice South West.

Terry told ITV in 2018: "You don’t have to be someone super, to be something that can raise a great deal of money.” 

Hundreds of Mini owners turned out to pay their respects (Image: Amanda-Louise Funeral Services)

Small Cars, Big Hearts posted to Facebook: “The legend in the legendary grand tour. Thank you, Terry Baker ❤️.”

Those wishing to donate to the Children's Hospice South West on Terry's behalf can do so through the funeral director, Amanda-Louise Funeral Director Services on 01643 800335 or at 3 Blenheim Road, Minehead, TA24 5PY.