06/01/2005
NEWS STORY
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The Christmas/New Year break was the ideal opportunity for most of us to recover from one long gruelling season, while preparing for the start of another.
We settled down in anticipation of the first tests of 2005, and more importantly, the first launches of the New Year, our main concern being that the new rules and driver changes provide us with some real excitement.
Then, on December 26, we were reminded how insignificant Formula One, indeed all sport, and pretty much everything else, really is. Thoughts of testing and launches were put aside as we watched the full horror of the south-east Asia tsunami unfold on our television screens.
What happened that fateful day, one of the biggest 'natural' disasters in living memory, has touched us all, particularly in light of the fact that, much like modern warfare, we are witness to almost every moment, courtesy of the televisions that bring every scream, every desperate cry for help, into our homes, our places of work. We have watched helplessly as our fellow man suffers, the pain and misery all too clear. Words cannot begin to describe the heartache that we feel for these people, and sadly other than money, and perhaps prayer, there is little we can do to help.
In late 2003 readers came to our aid when Pitpass was struggling for survival, they gave in order that Pitpass would survive, and survive it did. It wasn't simply the money that helped keep us going, it was knowing that people cared.
Therefore as Editor of Pitpass, I am asking you to assist me, and the rest of the Pitpass team, and indeed Formula One, in showing that you care.
As I revealed in my New Year message, Pitpass is to run an auction in an attempt to raise money that will hopefully alleviate some of the misery, some of the pain, that these poor people are suffering.
For my part I am donating a number of items of memorabilia, bits and pieces collected over the years that are slowly gathering dust. In all honesty, there is no-one to leave them to, therefore why not let them do some good now.
All proceeds from everything sold on our auction site on Ebay will go to Oxfam's tsunami relief campaign.
"Oxfam is very grateful to Pitpass for running this auction which will support our work with people affected by the tsunami in Asia," says Stephen Harvey of Oxfam.
In addition to the memorabilia that I am donating, I am delighted to reveal that several F1 teams, B.A.R, Jordan and Renault have already pledged items, as has Bridgestone.
This is your opportunity to purchase Formula One memorabilia and thereby donate to a most worthy cause.
In addition to memorabilia, we also have hospitality for Saturday/Sunday in Monaco (food and drink included), and even the opportunity to have a Formula One photographer do your wedding photography.
This isn't about egos or brownie points, it's about helping our fellow human beings to rebuild their lives.
There are some things more important that Formula One, and that's a fact!
We are continually adding items - there's a whole load of it to be uploaded - so do please keep returning to our auction page, which can be found by clicking here.
Chris Balfe
Editor
Please Note:
£60 / $113 - will buy 10 Hygiene Kits
£100 / $188 - will feed 4 families for a month
£120 / $226 - will buy 5 Emergency Shelters