A teenager trying to raise a £1.2m to save a motoring landmark in Surbiton is hoping to get the building listed as a community asset.
Kyle Stanger, 18, has received support from across the world since he started the ‘Save the home of the Cooper’ campaign two weeks ago and is asking people to urge Kingston Council to list the TDV building in Hollyfield Road as a community interest.
Historic: The former Cooper Car garage as it is today (top left) and during the glory day (right and bottom left)
Mr Stanger and his supporters have been gathering snapshots from the time when John Cooper and Formula 1 legend Sir Jack Brabham were building and testing Formula 1 cars there to strengthen their case.
One member found a video showing John Cooper testing his T2 prototype on the Kingston bypass in 1946.
Kyle Stanger said he was 'overwhelmed' with the support his campign has received
Mr Stanger said: “I found out yesterday I need 21 people from the area to sign up to get the council to consider listing the building as of community interest but obviously the more people we get the better.”
Mr Stanger said he was "overwhelmed" with the amount of support he has received so far.
If he manages to get the council to list the building as of community interest he will have another six months to raise the money.
He said: “The support the campaign has received is amazing. Some people seem to be taking this on as a hobby. I’m getting so many great pieces of advice.
“The campaign has been shared by Ed China [presenter of Wheeler Dealers] on Facebook and I’ve had a conference call with Team Brabham Racing who crowd funded £250,000 for their racing team and they have given me lots of advice.”
Visit http://goo.gl/dEES0t to get the council to consider listing the TDV building as a community interest.
To donate to the Save the Home of the Cooper’ campaign visit https://goo.gl/BF146P
Got a story? Email rachael.burford@london.newsquest.co.uk or call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6318.
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