Twins drive to Italy in Ford Cortina for dad

A set of identical twins drove their dad's old Ford Cortina to Italy for an emotional journey in his memory.
Dynamic duo: Twins Richard and Christopher Barker with their dads restored Ford Cortina.Dynamic duo: Twins Richard and Christopher Barker with their dads restored Ford Cortina.
Dynamic duo: Twins Richard and Christopher Barker with their dads restored Ford Cortina.

Businessman Roy Barker, from Castleford, died aged 67 in 2014 after a battle with cancer.

His sons Richard Barker, who lives in Methley, and twin Christopher restored their dad’s beloved 1982 Ford and set off on a 1,000-mile journey to Cortina d’Amprezzo in Northern Italy as a tribute to him.

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They also raised £5,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Centre at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, where doctors treated Roy.

The pair have spent hundreds of pounds to refurbish the classic car and make it road-ready.

Richard said: “It has been absolutely amazing but really hard work and far harder than I’d anticipated.

“The driving and length of some of the days was exhausting and we were travelling through torrential rain and storms, heavy traffic and totally manic German driving on the autobhans to get there.

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“We’ve had loads of attention, got some donations along the way and met some fabulous people.”

The brothers were joined on the trip by Richard’s son Jake, 13, nephew Evan, 16, friend Graham Ellis and a family cousin.

Their dad bought the classic Cortina in Castleford in 1982.