We’re delighted to announce a new charity partner for our entry in the Snetterton Saloons Championship.
Following a successful start to the series with a podium finish in round 1 at Donington Park, we’re raising funds and awareness for Dogs for Autism.
The charity provides specially trained dogs to children and adults with autism. Through the provision of assistance dogs, trained to mitigate some of the disabling impacts of autism and the environment, Dogs for Autism are committed to creating and maintaining successful client-dog partnerships that impact positively on the lives of autistic individuals and families.
Their dogs can help provide safety in the outside world, increase independence and help encourage communication and language development.
One service user said “I had a meltdown in centre of town, it’s not often that it happens to that level. For two hours Buzz just sat across my legs and he didn’t move, even when dogs came up to him or people came over. He just stayed there completely unfazed. Having his autism assistance dog jacket made a huge difference to how strangers reacted, and made me feel much safer. Honestly Buzz was a life saver. He is an incredible dog, he really is.”
Our team has strong links to autism, with three of our current drivers having been diagnosed with the condition.
Competing in the Snetterton Saloons series are Tom Cannon and Bobby Trundley, who have both been diagnosed with autism and have struggled with the various challenges it poses. Both have found motorsport to have a positive impact on this and find that their autism helps them on the race track through their focus and attention to detail.
The Dogs for Autism charity branding can be seen on our BMW M240i that Tom and Bobby are driving, and we’ll be raising funds for them throughout the season.
On September 19th, we’ll be competing in the Britcar Endurance Championship at Brands Hatch, hosting more than 150 guests for hospitality. At the event, Tom and Bobby will support a range of fundraising activities including selling off our used race tyres to be repurposed into coffee tables!
Team Principal Mike Scudamore said: “Our team is about so much more than racing and it’s really important for us to support community initiatives where we can, especially when they’re so closely linked to our team.
“Dogs for Autism make a real difference to people living with the condition, which we know so much about through our drivers. If we can help fund some additional resources and enable more people to get this help, we’ll be delighted. I also hope we can raise awareness of the charity and its fantastic work.”
Dogs for Autism Interim CEO Angie Southcott said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be selected as a charity partner by Team BRIT- an organisation that like us, is committed to challenging perceptions and empowering individuals to access new things. Together we can raise awareness of the life-changing work we do in supporting adults and children with an autism assistance dog, and grow our community of supporters so we can reach even more individuals and families who need our support”
More information on Dogs for Autism can be found here.
