Biggest Festival of Speed yet!
Forces’ charity Mission Motorsport shines at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Unforgettable VIP experience laid on for 200 of the charity’s beneficiaries
Major presence underline’s charity’s success, impact and growth
Brake manufacturer Alcon signs British Armed Forces Covenant
Forces’ charity Mission Motorsport shone a spotlight on the powerful and positive impact it can have on the lives of wounded, sick and injured service personnel and their families when it hosted an incredible VIP experience for beneficiaries at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.
It was the charity’s biggest ever presence at the world’s biggest motoring garden party – underlining its growth over the past seven years – and was made possible through the ongoing backing of long-standing supporters, the Duke of Richmond and property developers Thakeham.
Mission Motorsport supporters Ferrari and Toyota offered unforgettable high-speed passenger rides up the famous Goodwood hill in their latest models, while a lucky few were able to get behind the wheel and tackle the rally stage in classic Ford and Porsche cars. Meanwhile the charity’s guests were able to relax in the Thakeham family area and spectate from the start line family grandstand while younger visitors tried their hand at operating a digger.
The whole event was an opportunity to for Mission Motorsport – motto ‘Race, Retrain Recover’ - to promote its work helping veterans rebuild their lives and achieve new goals through the medium of motorsport.
It also provided a fitting backdrop for another long-term supporter and Mission Motorsport founding partner, the internationally-acclaimed brake manufacturer Alcon, to sign the British Armed Forces Covenant – officially recognising the contribution serving personnel, both regulars and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to society and the country.
The Armed Forces representative at the signing, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Coton, Commanding Officer of 16 Regiment Royal Artillery said: “The Armed Forces Covenant relies on those people, communities, and British businesses to actively support it in making a difference. So, the commitments made today formally enshrine what we know Alcon have already done for many years and are doing every day – to support the employment of service leavers and reservists in your workforce, their spouses and families, the wounded, injured and sick. I thank you whole-heartedly for these commitments.”
Alistair Fergusson, Group Managing Director at Alcon said: “We’re honoured to have been invited to sign the Armed Forces Covenant today and to take our first steps as part of the Mission Automotive initiative. We’re committed to supporting the Armed Forces communities in any way we can. We recognise the considerable talent on offer as people leave the Armed Forces and the contribution they can make to a business environment such as ours, post-service.”
He added: “Aside from our core motorsport business, Alcon has been solving braking problems in the defence and security sectors for over 10 years. We’re now the preferred supplier of bespoke performance braking systems to several major global defence vehicle manufacturers, helping to save lives across the world.”
James Cameron, CEO of Mission Motorsport said: “Alcon are an accomplished and innovative company whose products have international impact in motorsport, in automotive and in other areas where their name is less well known – including military applications. They have for many years been staunch supporters of Service causes, looking to make a difference through their work to help those whose lives have been impacted by military service. A leader in their industry, their engagement in the wider Mission Automotive initiative, encouraging others to follow in their footsteps forms powerful advocacy and is to be highly commended.”