I always had a weak spot for the original Panda. I remember photographing this original Panda – in RED colour – in the middle of the Galerie de la Reine in the heart of Brussels, when testing this cute Panda for a car magazine. This was in the early ’80s…

So when Dominique Fontignies, PR and Communications Director of Stellantis Belux sent me the following story, I was delighted to share it with you, dear reader…

Thomas and Tanguy, two inseparable cousins, are about to cover more than 7,500 km in a 1997 Fiat Panda 4X4 for charity.

The “ToiMoi1Panda” project aims to raise at least €20,000, which will be donated to the Inès Costa Foundation and to research on neurofibromatosis.

Thomas and Tanguy have been inseparable and complementary cousins ​​since childhood. Coincidentally, they also became brothers-in-law! In memory of their sister-in-law Inès, who died of neurofibromatosis at the age of 24, the two cousins ​​have long wanted to support scientific research into this relatively rare disease.

During their research they discovered the “Superlative Adventure Club”, a German association that organized a rally raid to the North Cape, bypassing the Baltic Sea. As a condition of participating in the adventure, each team must raise money for a charity of their choice. The ToiMoi1Panda project was launched…

On the (icy) roads from 19 february to 6 march 2022

ToiMoi1Panda, is a sixteen-day snow raid in the middle of the cold winter months. They will travel across 10 countries only on small roads and without GPS : 7,500km in complete autonomy at the wheel of their Fiat Panda 4X4 built in 1997.

Thomas and Tanguy have been preparing their trip for almost 2 years, the car has been completely prepared and overhauled for the occasion, while still remaining faithful to the original model: simple, robust and basic.

They have also decided to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their adventure by compensating for all the kilometers they travel with the Panda through the CO2logic program certified by Vinçotte.

The goal of ToiMoi1Panda is to raise at least €20,000 for the foundation. Thomas and Tanguy will cover all the costs of the raid (car, fuel, expenses, insurance, passports and visas, lodging, food, etc.) so that 100% of the donations and income will go directly to the Foundation’s account.

So far, the ToiMoi1Panda fund has already raised almost €17,000 thanks to sponsors, donations and actions organized by Thomas and Tanguy in recent months: sales of olive oil, previews of films, sale of the playlists they will listen to during their trip, donations in exchange for products offered by their sponsors, etc. Fiat will also contribute to this charitable activity.

Stay tuned: we will report on their adventures!

Hans Knol ten Bensel