Rob Arthur 1949-2008

It is with the greatest sadness that I have to advise you of the death of my old friend Rob Arthur.

Apart from being one of the best ever co-drivers from the UK (as Pond, McRae, Kaby and others would tell you) he was a bloody good bloke.

Testament to that is the fact that the Foot Rally (if you didn’t do it then you wouldn’t understand!) which was his creation – with a bit of help from me – raised over £50,000 for The Children’s Trust (a children’s hospital) at Tadworth in Surrey, in the 5 year life of the event!

Rob had during the last few years been President of Southern Car Club (vice-presidents Mike Broad, Tony Jardine & Rick Smith); the club will miss him greatly.

Rob died last night, in hospital near his new home in France, after a short illness; heart failure following a liver disease being the probable cause.

My thoughts go to his partner Sue.

The funeral is tomorrow in France. Sue has requested that if you wish to make a donation in Rob’s memory that you make cheques payable to "The Children’s Trust", and send them to The Children's Trust Donation, c/o Rick Smith, Xenogamy Limited, The Old Bakery, 55A Belmont Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 8TE.

Sometime in the next couple of months we will be organising a memorial lunch for Rob in London – more news in due course.