Richard Burns Foundation launches at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Richard Burns Foundation will be launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 7-9 July 2006. Established in memory of the 2001 FIA World Rally Champion who died last year of cancer, the Richard Burns Foundation wants to inspire and support people whose lives are affected by serious illness and injury.As a World Rally Champion, Richard used all his energy and focus to make his dreams come true.  When diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 32, he used the same mental strength to fight his illness and live life to the fullest.  Even with his brain under attack, his mind never faltered.The RBF will raise resources and awareness to help people of all ages in their fight against adversity – supporting projects aimed at care, prevention, and giving quality of life to people living with brain cancer and other conditions that can have a severe impact on their lives.Robert Reid, co-driver to Richard throughout his illustrious career, has led the initiative for the Richard Burns Foundation and has become its Chief Executive.  “Richard was a great driver and winning the World Championship together was a dream come true.  After being diagnosed with a brain tumour, Richard fought his illness with great dignity and without complaint. This inspired us to launch the Richard Burns Foundation, dedicated to support people battling any form of illness or injury.  It is not just about medical care, but very much about inspiring people to extract the maximum out of life when faced with adversity.”  The first project the Richard Burns Foundation has identified for its support is the Youth Cancer Trust*, a charity that provides holidays for young adults living with cancer.  The YCT’s effort to supply young people with the energy and inspiration needed to sustain their fight against disease is a good illustration of the values backed by the RBF.   “The efforts of the Youth Cancer Trust are a logical fit with the objectives of our Foundation, and this is hopefully the first of many activities we can support,” says the Foundation’s chairman David Lapworth.  As Motorsport Director at Prodrive, David was responsible for many of the rally cars driven by Richard.The Foundation will be present at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a stand and a display of rally cars from the Richard Burns Collection – each marking milestones in Richard’s career, starting with his very first rally car, a Talbot Sunbeam he drove in 1987. Money will be raised through collections, a charity raffle, a membership drive, the sale of merchandise and the auction of rides alongside WRC’s top stars.  Many WRC teams & drivers will attend the Festival and make an appearance in support of the Foundation. Markus Gronholm, Petter Solberg, Colin McRae, Markko Martin, Gilles Panizzi, Francois Duval, Martin Rowe, Chris Atkinson and Mikko Hirvonen will all be rallying together to support people fighting illness or injury. Incorporated as a key element in the Richard Burns Foundation is the Michael Park Fund, named in honour of Richard’s friend and fellow competitor who was killed in a tragic competition accident in 2005.  This Fund has dedicated objectives focussed on motorsport safety, and will benefit from dedicated fund raising activities.Robert Reid: “I am very happy that we have made the application for a charitable status, even if starting a foundation in memory of Richard and Michael, two of my closest friends, wasn’t a something that I would have ever envisaged doing.  I know that they would both be extremely proud to see their names being put to such good causes.  We invite anybody coming to Goodwood to visit our stand, or alternatively to find out more about our objectives and on our website: www.RichardBurnsFoundation.com.  From 5 July, the Foundation is able to accept donations by SMS, by texting “RBF” to 82344.  Each message will cost £2.50 and, depending on your network, approximately £1.80 will be raised for the causes we support.  More details about the SMS service are on our web-site**.”