Remote:Service proudly supports the Richard Burns Foundation because Richard was and still is an absolute legend both on and off the stages.
The Foundation was officially launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2006 and has since raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to support young people with serious illnesses and life-threatening injures.
Richard is my favourite rally driver, in fact he is more than that. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be sat here now typing away at this blog. He was the guy who first caught my attention, he was the guy who made me so passionate about the sport that I wanted to make it my career, albeit in a writing sense rather than a driving one.
I was fortunate enough to spend time with him in the months before he died and this time has had a lasting impact on me. At Rally Day 2005, Richard’s final ever public appearance, I was invited to spend the day with him, his family and friends. Despite the fact he was very ill at this point and to be honest he didn’t really know me, he made such an effort to make sure I felt welcome. He made sure I was happy and even organised that I had a passenger ride in his Group A Subaru Legacy sat alongside Martin Rowe. Richard and I sat together trackside for nearly an hour watching rally car after rally car fly past and the way his face lit up every time he saw one of his cars was just magical.
As a volunteer for the RBF I have spoken to many people who have can recall stories similar to mine, these stories are the reason why myself and my partner are volunteers. In his short but massively successful career Richard gave fans so much and volunteering for the Foundation allows the opportuniy to give something back.
My partner, Adam Drane, doing his bit for the Foundation
The Foundation is always searching for new volunteers and there’s no excuse for not getting involved. Volunteers are given free entry into events they attend and are given regular breaks to enjoy the sights and sounds, what a bonus! Speaking from experience you do come away with a real sense that you’ve achieved something, the feeling that you’re helping out and allowing Richard’s memory to live on.
You can register your interest on the website and the RBF team will be more than happy to help you out. Alternatively, if shaking a bright orange bucket around or selling raffle tickets isn’t your thing then the foundation welcomes donations and you can also purchase a bright orange RBF wristband for £3 to show your support in public – I know we’re in the middle of a recession but £3 is hardly breaking the bank is it?
While you’re deciding when to volunteer or how much to donate take a look at these videos to remind yourself just what a great guy he really was.
NB If any of you out there have any favourite videos/memories of Richard just let me know and I’ll get them on this page.
I love this video, you can tell he’s really concentrating but he’s talking as if he’s just having a chat. Oh and I can’t not mention the old school Top Gear! Loving the hair and the denim Jeremy, stylish.
Sadly missed, those videos are awesome! er and yer, Jeremy’s hair???!!!???