If you’re any kind of Formula One fan, you’ll be aware that motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart was in Melbourne across the weekend for this year’s Australian Grand Prix. Less well known was that Sir Jackie was the focal point of a stunning fundraiser held at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park on Friday night for his Race Against Dementia charity, created in honour of the triple World Champion’s wife, Lady Helen Stewart – herself a dementia sufferer.
Hosted by the Seven Network’s Mark Beretta, the event brought together almost 800 Melburnians at a sell-out high-octane F1 extravaganza of speed, glamour and a superb menu designed by Melbourne restaurant icon Scott Pickett.
An international list of motorsport legends shared the spotlight with Sir Jackie, including F1 supremo Stefano Domenicali, Red Bull CEO Christian Horner and former F1 drivers Mark Webber, Martin Brundle and David Coulthard. “This is the biggest and best Race Against Dementia event staged anywhere in the world and I extend my gratitude to event chairman Craig Joel for his efforts in bringing this incredible event to life”, said Sir Jackie. “It will make a big difference to our ability to find a cure or treatment for dementia during my lifetime.”
Proceeds from this event will be channelled through Dementia Australia to fund three PhD research fellowships with a difference – the opportunity to spend time in the UK with the Maclaren and Red Bull F1 teams to learn the accelerated technological development techniques that are a hallmark of the sport. This turbocharged approach to R&D was endorsed by Fellowship awardee, Dr Adekunle Bademosi, who inspired attendees with his insights into the fights against this devastating disease and the hope offered through the Race Against Dementia fellowship program.
Race Against Dementia staged the event on the initiative of an event committee comprising Chairman Craig Joel, Rennie De Maria, Natasha Oberoi, Phil Huzzard, Srecko Lorbek, Mary Trantino, Alison Fairbairn, Mark Buckley, Jon Knight and Emmerson Wood.
Gold event sponsors included CarSales, Scentre Group and PSC Alliance.
