Former Formula One racing champion Damon Hill mesmerised a full house at Teddington’s Wharf restaurant with his tales from the track at a fund-raising dinner for the community group SporTedd.
He and his wife Georgie were the special guests of honour for the latest event, which helps raise money for locally sport-themed projects.
Damon talked openly of his admiration for seven times World Champion Lewis Hamilton as well as his own ‘crown’ which he won in 1996.
The racing driver and his wife also paid tribute to the local John Langdon Centre at Normansfield Theatre, which they actively support and has played an important part in their son Ollie’s life.
Former Mail on Sunday Sports Editor Alison Kervin posed the questions as well as Damon spending more than 40 minutes taking questions from the guests, who had enjoyed a three course meal at the riverside venue.
Local MP Munira Wilson and Damon’s wife Georgie helped draw the raffle where prizes included free rugby tickets for Twickenham, Chelsea tickets and a Margaret Howell voucher worth £250.
The raffle raised £1550 on the evening but SporTedd also announced it had received a surprise boost to funds with a cheque for £3175 which was the result of a win on the community lottery GET LUCKY LOCAL. The restaurant had kindly asked its customers to donate £1 to their bills and the Wharf matched the amount to allow the purchase of over 1700 tickets in last week’s big draw.
“We are the in the unusual but wonderful position of being able to say we’ve got money to give away,” said SporTedd Chair, Stuart Higgins. “We will welcome any applications for local sport-themed projects or ideas, where a small amount of money can make a big difference. We will try to help.”
So far, since launch SporTedd has given 24 projects about £40.000 in grants ranging from the local swimming pool, cricket and rugby clubs as well as other sports kits and equipment for cash-strapped schools. Most of the grants range from between £500 and £2000.
SporTedd’s next big event will also be at The Wharf restaurant on Tuesday June 7th when the guest will be TIM HENMAN.