Youngsters battling cancer have become the latest beneficiaries of the Richard Burns Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

RBF chief executive Robert Reid visited Goodwood House to officially present a cheque for £51,766 to Teenage Cancer Trust.

The magnificent sum was raised by Richard Burns Foundation at the Festival of Speed 2007 through gate collections, raffles and auctioning rally rides. RBF also organised rides in World Rally Championship cars for 10 young guests of Teenage Cancer Trust.

“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.”

TCT spokesperson Helen Haynes, who was on hand to accept the cheque on behalf of the cancer charity, 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.”

The donation will be the perfect start for the TCT Southampton Appeal, due to be launched shortly. The campaign aims to raise £1.5million to provide new facilities for teenagers and young adults with cancer in the local area, and will be based at Southampton General Hospital.

Lord March was also present at the cheque handover and said, “This is a fantastic amount which will go a long way to helping benefit those who are in need of assistance to maintain a positive and forward-looking approach to life.”

The Richard Burns Foundation would also like to say a big thank you to all the RBF volunteers who braved the elements at Goodwood and helped raise such an amazing total.