A busy Summer for "Big John" Surtees

Two recent charity events are testimony to the energetic fund-raising of the Henry Surtees Foundation

It’s great to see 1964 F1 World Champion John Surtees doing such a good job with the Henry Surtees Foundation. I’ve been lucky enough to attend two events in as many weeks, which have helped raise a considerable amount of money for its projects which range from a proposed ‘Henrycopter’
for Kent Air Ambulance, to further education in motor sport technology, engineering and road safety.

First up was a visit to the Swift Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent – a normally private collection of photos, which proved so popular that owner Andrew Swift is going to open the space to the public. It’s a stunning selection of images that stretches from the birth of motor racing right up to the present day. The plan is to open it up from 2-6pm on Thursdays, but check www.swiftuk. co.uk before you go.

It was then time to visit Weybridge for the Henry Surtees Brooklands Karting Team Challenge. Art editor Damon Cogman and I were joined by double Le Mans class winner Darren Turner and British GT racer Riki Christodoulou, but despite our best efforts we slipped down to 11th out of 30. A large part of that may have been down to the combined weight – and talent – of Damon and I. Entry fees alone raised £30,000 and plenty more was added in the auction afterwards.

Visit www.henrysurteesfoundation.com for news and details about forthcoming events.

Ed Foster