Honda continues support for Helen & Douglas House

Following the successful charity partnership with Helen & Douglas House in 2006, the Honda Racing F1 Team is pleased to announce the continuation of its support for the 2007 season and the development of a project to help improve wheelchair design.

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. Over recent years Honda UK has been a close supporter of the organisation, running fund-raisers and media events to raise awareness for the cause. Last year the Honda Racing F1 Team added its backing in order to help raise the necessary funds to ensure the future provision of the charity’s voluntary services.

Helen House which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is currently the subject of a BBC2 TV documentary (10pm, Tuesdays), was founded by Sister Frances Dominica and became the world’s first children’s hospice on its opening in 1982. Douglas House was set up in 2004 as the world’s first purpose-built hospice for young adults. In any one year the charity supports more than 250 children, young adults and their families, relying heavily on the generosity of voluntary donations.

One of the major supporting initiatives being undertaken this year by the Honda Racing F1 Team is a Wheelchair Design project. Led by four of the team’s Advanced Modern Apprentices - Charlie Bebb, James Olliffe, Sean Bryant and Marcus Rose - the project aims to improve the design of wheelchairs to make them more user-friendly.

Following meetings with the parents and wheelchair users at Helen & Douglas House and at the team headquarters in Brackley, where the visitors also received a tour of the F1 facilities, the Modern Apprentices have completed their research and compiled a shortlist of improvements.