GENEROUS motor racing fans have helped Rockingham raise thousands of pounds for the Northamptonshire circuit’s three adopted charities.
Rockingham pledged to support one national, regional and local charity representing the circuit’s wide demographic audience, to help raise money and awareness of each of the good causes.
As part of the partnership between Rockingham and the charities, motor racing fans purchasing their race tickets on-line had the option of donating an extra 50p to one or all of the charities.
This resulted in more than £750 being raised and shared between the charities, which were Make-A-Wish Foundation®, The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) and Lakelands Day Care Hospice in Corby.
In addition to the on-line donations, the charities were also invited to hold collections at Rockingham’s 2008 race meetings, and as a result the good caused raised a further £2000 between them.
Rockingham also donated driving experiences and race day tickets, including VIP passes, as prizes to organisations supporting the circuit’s chosen charities to help raise money at other fundraising events throughout the year.
Angela Hayward from The WNAA and Julia Rattigan of Lakelands Day Care Hospice were presented with their cheques by Rockingham Press & PR Officer Sarah Thomson at the circuit on Monday (August 10).
Charlotte said: “This was the first year we formally adopted three charities to work with and we are absolutely delighted at the amount of money that has been raised, not only at Rockingham but at other events we have supported.
“The money raised will make a difference to a lot of people and we would like to say a big thank you to all our race day visitors who supported Rockingham and its charities so generously.”
Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK was Rockingham’s national representative, and built on the existing partnership between the circuit and the leading children’s wish-granting charity.
Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes for children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Founded in the UK in 1986, it has granted over 4,700 wishes.
For the past two years as an extra treat for four Make-A-Wish youngsters they attended the British Touring Car Championship meeting held at Rockingham, as VIP guests of the circuit.
Regional Co-ordinator for Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK, Lise Griffiths, said: “We grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses, this year around 1,000 youngsters will have their special wish granted.
“The support from Rockingham will contribute greatly towards making it possible to carry on granting these wishes. Make-A-Wish receives no government or lottery funding and is entirely grateful for the support we have received from Rockingham and its motor racing fans!”
The regional charity was Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, which has been on standby for the motor sport venue since its launch in 2001. It costs around £1.5 million per year to run and is supported entirely through voluntary donations. The helicopter flies out of Coventry, and operates seven days a week, providing a life-saving service.
Regional Fundraising Manager for WNAA, Tracy Grunwell, said: “The air ambulance is a local charity that needs support from all businesses and members of the public. We would like to thank Rockingham for the support they have given us.”
Lakelands Day Care Hospice was the local charity. Unlike most respite facilities, it receives no funding from the government and therefore has to rely heavily on money raised through its own fundraising events and donations from members of the public.
The hospice was built following years of fundraising and eventually opened its doors in 2001. It provides a vital service, which is entirely free to patients and carers experiencing the affects of cancer and end stage heart failure.
Fundraising and Marketing Manager for Lakelands Day Care Hospice, Jodie Jelley, said: “On behalf of the patients and supporters of Lakelands Hospice I would like to say a big thank you to Rockingham for their support last year.
“In fact Rockingham has supported the hospice since we both opened in 2001. It is through the generous support of the circuit and its visitors that enable us to continue to provide specialist palliative care free of charge.”
Rockingham has pledged to continue to support the three charities into 2009, and the circuit was recently the venue for the first Corby Sunset Walk, which raised more than £2000 for Lakelands Hospice.
