We are pleased to announce that this year's official Festival of Speed charity will be The Lewis Hamilton Foundation, marking the first major fund raising push for the Foundation.
Following the Festival of Speed, the Foundation will make a donation to 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.
During the Festival a number of activities will take place to help raise money including a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes pitstop challenge, with the fastest team will win a visit to the McLaren Technology Centre and a chance to meet Lewis.
"I am grateful to Lord March that the Goodwood Festival of Speed has chosen my foundation as the official charity this year," said Lewis. "We are still in the very early stages of establishing the Foundation, but its primary aim will be to try and make a difference to the lives of young people who are struggling with life or suffering in some way. After the Festival the Foundation will be making donations to Keech Cottage and Chestnut Tree House children's hospices, which both do fantastic work with children and families affected by illness."
Lewis will be at the Festival on Sunday where he will demonstrate the 1988 McLaren-Honda MP4/4 turbo, as driven by his hero Ayrton Senna, up the famous 1.16 mile Festival of Speed hill climb.
