03/10/2004
NEWS STORY
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For the third year in succession, the Renault F1 Team is joining forces with Oxfam, the international development charity, to raise money for its work around the world.
The Renault F1 Team is providing unique items, including overalls and car parts, which will be auctioned online.
The auction will run until October 25th and gives enthusiasts the opportunity to bid for collectible pieces of Renault F1 Team's history, including six signed Fernando Alonso items, eleven original car parts and a chance to visit the Renault F1 Team factory.
The money raised this year will once again go to Oxfam's project providing water for poor communities in North Eastern Brazil, where 11 million rural people do not have access to drinking water. The lack of clean water causes illness and disease, resulting in a high infant mortality rate in the region. Ensuring access to a safe water supply is the vital priority and, in partnership with other organizations, Oxfam is implementing a huge project to build one million water tanks to collect rainwater in this region.
"Last years auction raised more than £16,000 for our work in Brazil, enough money to build water tanks for 56 families, providing water for the 8 month dry season. Oxfam is grateful for the Renault F1 Team's commitment to Oxfam and particularly this project, and hope that this year's auction will be as successful as the previous two years," said Stephen Harvey Oxfam's Corporate Account Manager.
Fernando Alonso commented: "It's a good opportunity to be able to help Oxfam with this project. We race in Brazil every year, and therefore felt it would make sense to be involved in this project. It is great that items that could save our lives during a Grand Prix can then contribute to improving the lives of others".
The auction is being hosted by eBay and can be accessed via oxfam.org.uk/f1 or renaultf1.com. An average of five items are for sale at any one time, and each lot will be open for bids for 10 days. Items include: