CAR lover Jon Kingdon is determined not to let an incurable illness stop him from doing the thing he enjoys most.

The 57-year-old from Grove, who has been modifying cars since he was a teenager, was struck down by ill health last August.

He has been off work since but after being diagnosed with lupus last month and taking the right medication, he is improving.

This weekend he will be collecting cash for charity Lupus UK as he shows off his modified Mercedes, complete with awareness-raising stickers, at the Modified National Car Show in Peterborough.

Mr Kingdon, of Teal Close, said: “I decided that was the best way to raise money. It is having fun as well as raising money for charity.”

He added: “There will be loads of people there that I have met and made friends with over the years.”

Mr Kingdon was rushed to hospital five times earlier this year and now has to attend regular clinics at the Nuffield, John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals in Oxford.

He said: “It is incurable but it is controllable. I am on about 10 different drugs at the moment. You have good days and you have bad days.”

He added: “Hopefully it will get better with the drugs.”

Lupus UK supports and advises people with the disease.

His wife of 30 years, Bridgette, said: “He is passionate about his cars.

“The illness was a bit of a shock as he was one of these people who never really sat down.

“He has not even really looked at his cars. For him not to go out into the garage every night is very unusual.

“But since he has been on these new pills he has really been able to do what he wants again.”

She added: “He has thrown himself into it and he wants to give back what he has got from them.”

Lupus UK director Chris Maker said: “I think what he is doing is great.

“Lupus should not be a life-stopper. It can be serious and on occasion can kill, but by and large, through taking the medication, people live with it.”