Supported charity 2019/20

Hope For Tomorrow

The chosen charity of the BDC Chairman for 2019/2020 is Hope for Tomorrow, a cancer charity.

Hope for Tomorrow’s (HFT) Mobile Cancer Care Units (MCCUs) allow patients to benefit from more convenient care closer to their home or workplace, saving their energy and allowing them to spend more time with those people who mean the most.
 
The charity develops, builds, provides and maintains its MCCUs to support patients who are undertaking cancer treatment by alleviating the stresses and strains of travelling to and from appointments, as well as reducing hospital waiting times.
 
In 2018, for instance, HFT administered more than 14,000 treatments during 1,420-plus visits to 34 locations across England.
 
Working in a unique partnership with the National Health Service (NHS), HFT boasts 10 MCCUs in Gloucestershire, Somerset, South Wiltshire, East Kent, Lincolnshire, Cornwall, West Suffolk, Essex, London/Surrey and West Yorkshire – indeed in those very locations where many of the BDC’s English-based Members and their families and friends live. It also maintains two reserve MCCUs to provide continuity of care during the maintenance schedules of our fleet.
 
There are approximately 30 main oncology centres in England, and each NHS Trust works across a wider area unrestricted by simple county boundaries. For example, the South Wiltshire MCCU visits locations not only in Wiltshire but in Hampshire and Dorset, too.
 
Running an MCCU is a big commitment for an NHS partner, however, and not all Trusts are able to commit to resourcing such a facility, which is why the selection of the charity’s NHS partners and their locations involves a long and complex process. That said, further expansion is planned in the future and HFT is currently involved in confidential negotiations with a number of other NHS Trusts.
 
The charity’s strong links to motor racing are due to its Founder, Christine Mills MBE, who worked for many years with her husband, David, in the sport, including managing three-time World Champion Sir Jack Brabham and, for 25 years, sportscar legend Derek Bell. Christine established HFT in 2003 following David’s sad death from cancer.
 
Unfortunately, in 2018, Christine passed away and the HFT staff, along with all its charity Patrons, are working hard to ensure her legacy lives on. The charity sincerely thanks the BDC and its Members for helping it to keep the wheels turning.
 
HFT’s motorsport-related Patrons include Sir Stirling Moss, Ross Brawn, Martin Brundle, Derek Bell, David Richards and 2003 Bentley Le Mans racer David Brabham.

To find out more about Hope For Tomorrow, you can visit their website.

Message from Richard Parkinson, BDC Chairman
I am pleased to announce that my nominated charity for the 12-month period from May this year is Hope for Tomorrow. This is the first time the Club has agreed to support a charity, but in this instance it makes perfect sense.
 
Hope for Tomorrow is a hugely well regarded cancer charity and, unfortunately, we all know someone who has been affected by this life-threatening disease. The organisation also has strong links to motor racing, through its founder Christine Mills MBE, who, together with her husband, spent many years working in the sport. Many of its patrons, such as Sir Stirling Moss, Derek Bell and Ross Brawn, are motorsport legends, so you can see how Hope for Tomorrow is the ideal charity for the BDC to support.
 
Hope for Tomorrow’s 10 mobile cancer care units (MCCUs) spread across the UK provide valuable support for patients who benefit from receiving more convenient care closer to home or work, saving them time and energy.
 
We will, therefore, be collecting funds to support Hope for Tomorrow’s excellent work at our BDC Silverstone race meeting on 3 August and our Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace on 8 September.
 
If you’re attending either or both of these flagship Club events, I’d encourage you to dig deep and give generously – and continue showing your support over the forthcoming months.