'I want to share my husband's F1 cars with the world'

A widow is sharing her late husband's collection of over 650 handmade Formula 1 model cars to raise money for the hospice which cared for him.

Sue Parton, from Tollerton, is exhibiting the collection, which she has called Partons Pit Stop, for the first time in aid of St Leonard's Hospice which supported her husband, Nick, until his death from cancer in October.

"It's a legacy for my husband, I want people to see how great [the cars] are" said Mrs Parton.

Each car was handmade, painted and detailed by Mr Parton in his studio and includes every Formula 1 Grand Prix winner up until his death.

"He's been creating these cars since childhood," Parton said.

"He used to order kit cars, strip them down and then rebuild them and put the decals on."

Nick Parton was suddenly hospitalised in September 2025 and died at home a month later whilst being cared for by St Leonard's Hospice home care team.

"We found out at the end of September that he had cancer in his lungs and various other places and within a month he'd passed away," his widow said.

The couple had already been involved in fundraising for St Leonard's Hospice in 2024, when they both took part in the hospice's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Clare Meadley, community and events fundraiser at St Leonard's Hospice, said of the exhibition.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for any Formula 1 fan or model hobbyist to see some incredible craftsmanship, all while supporting a local charity at the same time."

The exhibition is open on Saturday mornings by appointment only with funds raised going towards St Leonard's Hospice.

"[The cars] are just going to get dusty if they sit here so I'd just love people to come and enjoy," Parton said.

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