Celebrities drive fundraising for NSPCC in The Circuit

Deborah Meaden, James Martin, Austin Healey, NSPCC Ambassador Amir Khan, David Coulthard, Damon Hill and other TV and sport stars took part in 'The Circuit' (17 September) in support of the NSPCC's Child's Voice Appeal.

Motor sport fans paid to spend a thrilling day with celebrities and professional drivers at PalmerSport, at the Bedford Autodrome. Six high performance-racing cars were put through their paces, including the Formula Jaguar single seater, Porsche 911 JP3, and Palmer Jaguar JP1 sports prototype racer.

Former Formula One driver and part of the organising committee Mark Blundell said: "Guests really pushed the cars to the limits and there seemed to be a few friendly rivalries out there on the track. Damon Hill and David Coulthard couldn't help themselves from slugging it out on the track!"

"This event is really important as all funds are going towards the NSPCC's Child's Voice Appeal to help them answer more calls to their helplines. Please visit www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk to find out more information about why the NSPCC needs the public's support."

In between conversations about whether Jenson Button can win the Formula One World Championship and singing Happy Birthday to Damon Hill, guests enjoyed a lunchtime auction hosted by Perry McCarthy (the original Stig from Top Gear).

Lots included three super rides in a Palmer Jaguar JP1 and a BMW M3 with David Coulthard, Damon Hill and Jason Plato, a visit to Nick Mason's legendary car collection which went to TV chef James Martin and a Jenson Button signed Honda plate from last year's car which went to Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden.

At the end of the day, the fastest overall driver was English Rugby Union player Austin Healey, fastest team captain was former Formula One driver Derek Warwick and Best Team was led by David Coulthard and Austin Healey.

NSPCC fundraising manager Sophie Moss said: "There certainly seemed to be some action-packed racing! It's brilliant to see a pro like Derek Warwick show guests how to set some really top lap times!"

"It's a tragedy when a vulnerable child summons up the courage to phone ChildLine but can't get through to speak to someone. The Child's Voice Appeal aims to raise over £50 million to develop the NSPCC helplines to answer every call, text and e-mail from a child who needs our help or an adult with a concern about a child."   

'The Circuit' was sponsored by ING, and is expected to raise thousands of pounds for the NSPCC. For further information about the NSPCC's Child's Voice Appeal, visit www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk . For further information about PalmerSport, visit www.palmersport.com or contact 01403 733 999.

Ends

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Notes to Editor:

The Cars
Formula Jaguar - Top Speed: 170mph; 0-60mph: 3.1secs; Engine: 3.0 litre V6.
Porsche 911 JP3 - Top Speed: 177mph; 0-60mph: 4.5secs; Engine: 3.6 litre flat six.
Palmer Jaguar JP1 - Top Speed: 165mph; 0-60mph: 3.5secs; Engine: 3.0 litre V6.
Renault Clio Cup Racer - Top Speed: 142mph; 0-60mph: 5.2secs; Engine: 2.0 litre 4 cylinder.
Caterham 7 Superlight - Top Speed: 130mph; 0-60mph: 4.8secs;
Jaguar XKR - Top Speed: 185mph; 0-60mph: 4.3secs; Engine: 4.2 litre supercharged V8.

About the Child's Voice Appeal
The Child's Voice Appeal aims to raise £50m so that the NSPCC's vital helplines can answer many more cries for help. To date the appeal has raised £18.1m. The funds will mean that ChildLine's volunteers can counsel 500,000 more calls every year; children will be able to choose how they access ChildLine's help - by phone, online or by text; the NSPCC Helpline can grow by over 60% to counsel 18,000 more adults a year who have concerns about a child; and counsellors can provide personalised help by email to nearly five times as many concerned adults. For more information visit www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk

About PalmerSport
PalmerSport is the world's leading corporate motorsport event, where guests spend a day driving seven different types of vehicle in rotation. The 380 acre Bedford Autodrome circuit complex was designed specifically for the PalmerSport event, to provide an optimum environment for guests to drive fast cars fast and safely. With six miles of track arranged over four circuits, guests have plenty of space to push each car to the limit and are actively encouraged to do so by expert instructors, many of whom are racing drivers. Every activity is timed, with trophies awarded at the end of the day.

Created in 1991, the event has evolved year on year under the direction of former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer. PalmerSport customers in the past 12 months include HSBC, Vodafone, Toshiba, IBM and Samsung.