Honda announce Helen & Douglas partnership

The Honda Racing F1 Team is pleased to announce a new charity partnership with Helen & Douglas House. Helen & Douglas House provides respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, as well as support and friendship for their families.

Following a successful partnership with Honda UK over recent years, the Honda Racing F1 Team will be adding their support to Helen & Douglas House to help raise the necessary funds to ensure the future provision of their voluntary services.

Helen House in Oxford was the world's first children's hospice on its opening in 1982, with Douglas House opening in 2004 as the world's first purpose-built hospice for young adults. In any one year, the charity supports over 250 children, young adults and their families, relying heavily on the generosity of voluntary donations.

The new partnership will be launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Sunday 9 July with a photocall including Jenson Button and the founder of Helen & Douglas House Sister Frances Dominica.

Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of the Honda Racing F1 Team, commented: "The Honda Racing F1 Team is very proud to begin its association with Helen & Douglas House this year. Supporting a locally based charity is very important to the team and we hope our involvement will help raise awareness of the valuable work undertaken by Helen & Douglas House. Our staff will be fully involved in the many projects and events planned over the next few months and we all look forward to contributing to the continued success of Helen & Douglas House in bringing hope and respite to children and families in need."

Sister Frances Dominica, founder of Helen & Douglas House said: "We are very grateful that the Honda Racing F1 Team has chosen us as their official charity partner, and not just from a fundraising point of view. By associating Helen & Douglas House with the thrill of Formula One, it will help to break down the misconception that hospices for children and young people must be sad and depressing places, when actually they are vibrant and positive, and the emphasis is on living life to the full even when that life is short."