No, not the words of British Formula One driver Jenson Button but the sentiment of Leeds charity queen Regina Waldman when she first saw the arrival of a new £25,000 mini-bus at Donisthorpe Hall.

Regina has been campaigning for a new vehicle for residents for the past 12 months.

Through a series of fundraising events – including a champagne reception with Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds and a summer barbecue that raised £8,000 – Regina’s dream came true last week when she sat behind the wheel of Donisthorpe’s latest arrival.

The vehicle was launched in the name of the late Sam Gitlick, to whom Regina and her family gave a home when he arrived in Leeds aged 13 on the Kindertransport.

Sam died last year, aged 85, and left money to benefit five Leeds charity organisations – one of which was the Shadwell care home.

“He instructed my grandson Ashley – his executor – to decide what the money should be spent on and Ashley donated a sum of money to the mini-bus campaign,” explained Regina.

With Sam’s name painted on each side of the vehicle in his honour, Regina was moved to tears.

“He would have been so proud – Sam loved Donisthorpe and always supported my fundraising efforts,” she said.

Attending the launch were three volunteer drivers, Roger Lawford, Anthony Vincent and Clive Sullivan, who take it in turns to drive residents on shopping trips and summer outings.

Clive, who has driven residents for nine years and clocked up many miles, said he thought the vehicle was the height of sophistication.

“I think in future we will have to wear white shirts and ties and tip our caps,” he joked. “The mini-bus is quite superb with lots more room inside.

“I particularly like the state-of-the-art hydraulic ramp to lift wheelchairs in and out which is just fantastic for all of us – residents and drivers.”

When Clive’s father-in-law, the late Morris Walden, lived at the home Clive offered his services in 2001 as a way of giving something back for the care and attention Morris received.

“They said they had a mini-bus and needed a driver and asked if I could I drive it occasionally,” he recalled. “So I volunteered my services and I’ve done the job ever since, with Roger and Anthony.

“We travel all over, wherever the residents wish us to go, and we have a whale of a time.”

In total, Regina had collected £35,000. The surplus funds were then used to renovate and update the former mini-bus.

“That was the sensible thing to do, so that the home now has two vehicles which means we have room to take more residents on outings,” said Regina.

“The new vehicle is a wonderful addition and for this I have to thank all my supporters who have been there for me all the way in my fundraising enterprises.

“Now my dream’s become a reality and it makes the hard work involved so worthwhile.”

Last week, the mini-bus was taken on its first outing when 11 residents and eight helpers had a day out in Scarborough.