A classic and supercar hub in Brentford has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity through its fundraising efforts, proving there's more to the business than luxury automobiles.

The family-run company, Duke of London, is based in a former 1930's Soap Factory on Catherine Wheel Road, founded by 27-year-old Merlin McCormack.

In fact, the whole McCormack family have established themselves down this road just off Brentford High Street.

A couple of yards down from Duke of London you have the Brewery Tap Pub, run by Merlin's mum, Annie McCormack, and opposite that you have Romance of Rust, the classic car restoration company run by Merlin's dad, Lance McCormack who rents the unit from Merlin, as does his younger brother.

Originally from Ealing, Merlin set-up the car hub in 2014 at a site near Kew Bridge before the whole family moved down to Catherine Wheel Road, surrounded by the Ballymore project development, in June 2020.

One Sunday a month they hold a classic and supercar meet event called 'Classics & Cake', from 9 am to 1 pm.

But you don't need a supercar to attend, in fact anyone is welcome with £2 tickets available for on-foot attendees and £10 tickets for those bringing a motor.

Merlin said: "We are seeing a lot of locals coming now, it's a very family friendly, children and dog friendly event.

"You hear people saying, it's the only one I can come to with my wife and that she enjoys!"

He added: "We are very keen on including the local community, I think there was a bit of resistance at first and I hope this can change.

"We are dead set on staying local, hopefully people can see we are a young Brentford business with a big family ethos."

Their first 'Classic & Cake' event of 2022 took place last Sunday and raised over £1,000 for Christmas Day Richmond – soon to be named Cocoon - a charity that provides young care leavers in the area with a Christmas to remember.

The Duke of London showroom provided the venue for the charity's 2021 Christmas dinner event, which saw 60 care leavers aged 18-25 years-old, and some of their children, enjoy Christmas Day at the Brentford showroom.

This was the fourth year of the dinner event, set up by Sian Thomas, a nurse from Twickenham, providing young care leavers in the area with a Christmas dinner and a day of activities.

Once the cars were moved out, Duke of London proved an ideal space for hosting the volunteer-run event.

"Our involvement goes only so far, the volunteers are the superheroes for us." Merlin said.

"To be such a big part of it and see how much can be done with the funds was amazing, and hosting the kids was just so humbling."

They received over £8,890 in donations which helped fund food, taxis, gifts and over 60 essential care hampers for the care leavers.

Merlin and his partner Georgia Peck also worked with designer Kurt Geiger to create two limited-edition pairs of 'his and hers' loafers - raising £20,000 for the charity.

Their support for the charity will continue into the year as Duke of London establishes itself more firmly in the community and hopes to secure its future in Brentford.