ALMOST £100,000 was handed over today to the three charities chosen to benefit from the major motorSport events held at Goodwood in 2007.
Lord March was present at Goodwood House to hand over a cheque for £51,766 to Teenage Cancer Trust, the nominated beneficiary for the Festival of Speed 2007. The donation will be the perfect start for the TCT Southampton Appeal, due to be launched shortly. The campaign aims to raise £1.5m to provide new facilities for teenagers and young adults with cancer in the local area, and will be based at Southampton General Hospital.
TCT spokesman Helen Haynes said: "We are absolutely delighted with this splendid result, which has far exceeded our target, and we are very grateful to Lord March for allowing us to fundraise at such a prestigious international event. Six teenagers are diagnosed with cancer each day, but these young patients don't stop being teenagers just because they get cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust ensures young cancer patients get the best possible care in hospital and the chance to do all the things other teenagers do."
Former World Rally Champion Robert Reid was also in attendance on behalf of the Richard Burns Foundation, which organised rally rides for the TCT youngsters and helped co-ordinate fundraising activities.
"The Richard Burns Foundation is delighted to have helped raise a fantastic sum for such a deserving cause," said Reid. "It was great to see the youngsters from TCT enjoy the Goodwood rally stage in a World Rally Championship car - something most people can only dream about.
"We hope they will be inspired by their experience and that the money raised will help care for and support others in their fight against life threatening illness."
Also present and receiving a cheque for £41,200 from Lord March was Allan Winn, Director of the Brooklands Museum, who joined forces with Goodwood at the Revival in 2007. The cash will go towards the Brooklands Centennial Appeal, which is concentrating on the restoration of both the Clubhouse and the ex-Whitney Straight Duesenberg single-seater racing car. The Museum launched its Centennial Appeal early in 2007, and aims to raise £4 million towards the next stages of bringing this extraordinary site back to life.
Allan Winn said: "To be nominated as the official charity for a Goodwood event is a great privilege, and we are extremely grateful to Lord March and his team for the opportunity. The support our staff and volunteer collectors received from Goodwood and the Richard Burns Foundation in raising this money was fantastic, and has enabled us to make significant progress already on these two important projects."
Money was raised at the Goodwood motor sport event through the public exits, at the black tie Ball on the Saturday evening and through sponsors generous donations.
Lord March added, "This is a fantastic amount which will go a long way to helping all three charities to benefit those who are in need of assistance to maintain a positive and forward-looking approach to life."
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