Lord March was present at the Goodwood Motor Circuit recently to hand over a cheque to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, representing the Lewis Hamilton Foundation, the nominated beneficiary for this year's Festival of Speed. The donation of £26,157.35 will give a healthy boost to this young charity.
The Lewis Hamilton Foundation (LHF) is a registered charity with the aim of providing funding to a range of existing charities and good causes whilst also developing its own programme. The Foundation is a non-profit making organisation focused on improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people who are living in ill health or poverty in the UK, Europe or developing countries.
From the money raised by the Goodwood fundraising initiatives, donations will be made shortly to two children's hospices, Keech Cottage Children's Hospice, which is based close to where Lewis grew up, and Chestnut Tree House, which is located close to Goodwood. Keech Cottage Children's Hospice provides specialist palliative care for children diagnosed with a life-limiting condition and their families across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, whilst Chestnut Tree House cares for children and young adults from 0-19 years of age with progressive life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses from all over Sussex.
Lewis Hamilton said, "I am incredibly appreciative of Lord March's generosity in allowing the Foundation to fundraise at the 2009 Festival of Speed, and that of all the spectators who kindly donated at the event. The amount raised is fantastic and I hope the donations made to the Foundation will be able to make as a result will make a real difference to both Keech Cottage and Chestnut Tree House."
Lord March added, "This is a fantastic amount which will go a long way to helping the charity to benefit those who are in need of assistance to maintain a positive and forward-looking approach to life."
Money was raised at the Goodwood Festival of Speed event through the public exits, at the black tie Ball on the Saturday evening and various events and activities during the weekend.
Each year, Goodwood and Richard Burns Foundation - which was established in 2006 in memory of England's only World Rally Champion - combine their respective skills and work together to mobilise the motor sport community in support of a different nominated cause every year, each of which is chosen to inspire and support people of all ages in their fight against adversity such as injury or illness. Burns died in 2005 following a long battle with cancer. The Foundation also incorporates the Michael Park Fund, which is dedicated to the WRC rally co-driver.
