01/09/2011
NEWS STORY
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Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley and his wife Lucy are the driving force behind an auction aimed at raising much needed funds for a highly worthwhile cause.
The pair are hosting a Grand Prix Dinner and Auction in aid of Zoe's Place Baby Hospice on Friday 2nd September.
Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough provides a home from home for babies and young children who have life limiting and life threatening conditions.
The fund raising dinner, which takes place on Friday at Beamish Hall Country House Hotel, sees Rob, race engineer for Felipe Massa, return to his North East roots to give an insight into Formula One's most famous team. The evening will be rounded off with a fantastic charity auction.
"In order for Zoe's Place to provide the services it does we have to raise as much money as possible which we hope our Grand Prix dinner will do," said a spokesperson for Zoe's Place. "We are immensely grateful to Rob for giving up his time to be our guest of honour and look forward to hearing about life in the fast lane at some of world's most glamorous locations. Rob is one of the most respected people on the Formula One circuit and we consider it a real coup that he is helping us raise these funds.
"We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals and businesses in donating these items and I would like to thank them for the support."
"I'm only too pleased to help Zoe's Place raise some much needed funds," said Smedley, "and the drivers and teams have all be very generous with the items they have donated. I hope that people will dig deep and help us raise as much money as possible."
Amongst the items on offer at the auction:
Lot 1: An escorted visit to the Ferrari factory in Modena (which is not available to the general public) including return flights from Gatwick Airport to Bologna, lunch at the famous Montana Restaurant at the gates to the factory, afternoon tour of factory to include the F1 facility, overnight Hotel accommodation and dinner in Maranello and a tour of the City.
Lot 2: Two places at an F1 Test Day at Silverstone (or Barcelona if no test at Silverstone) to include: Hospitality Suite access throughout the day, breakfast, buffet lunch and afternoon tea, complimentary drinks all day, access to F1 paddock, pit lane walk and circuit tours.
Lot 3: A romantic weekend away for two persons in a luxury boutique hotel with the use of a Ferrari California for the duration of your stay, luxury rooms in the Crazy Bear Hotel in Beaconsfield, breakfast included, 2 or 3 nights stay and a new Ferrari California (2 + 2) for your use throughout the weekend
Lot 4: 2010 Ferrari Massa racing overalls (worn at Abu Dhabi & Brazilian GPs) signed by Felipe Massa together with certificate of authenticity signed by Stefano Domenicali
Lot 5: 2011 Force India Signed Di Resta overalls (worn in Malaysia)
Lot 6: Team Lotus Signed Kovalainen overalls
Lot 7: Virgin Signed Glock overalls
Lot 8: Script donated by BBC Television's F1 team - F1 show where Lewis Hamilton won a race - signed by Eddie Jordan, David Coulthard, Jake Humphries & Lewis Hamilton
Lot 9: 2010 Signed Alonso fireproof Underwear (worn Belgian & Italian GPs) - together with certificate of authenticity signed by Stefano Domenicali
Lot 10: 2010 Signed Alonso gloves (worn Belgian & Italian GPs) together with certificate of authenticity signed by Stefano Domenicali
Lot 11: Signed Stefano Domenicali shirt
Lot 12: 2008 Ferrari F1 design signed by Nikolas Tombazis and Pat Fry
Lot 13: Mercedes Pitstop helmet signed by Schumacher and Rosberg together with certificate of authenticity signed by Ross Brawn
Lot 14: Williams Rear wing end plate signed by Barrichello and Maldonado
Lot 15: 1/2 size replica of Jensen Button's 2011 driving helmet signed by him.
Lot 16: 1/2 size replica of Lewis Hamilton's 2011 driving helmet signed by him.
Lot 17: Replica Fisichella Renault Helmet
Lot 18: Two pistons from a 2006 Cosworth V10 engine supplied to the Jaguar Formula One Team, one has been signed by Rubens Barrichello the other by Pastor Maldonado.
Lot 19: Bestselling author prize of naming somebody in her next book - so basically the person who wins the auction can have their or someone elses name as a character in her next book and a selection of her books which are signed.
Lot 20: Set of Adele Parks books which will be signed by her.
Lot 21: A tour round the This Morning studio and viewing of the show being filmed.
Lot 22: A cowboy hat worn by Vernon (in Rovers Return) on Coronation street
Lot 23: Emmerdale script signed by many emmerdale actors
Lot 24: A VIP box at the MAN Utd vs Newcastle game 26.11.11 including food, bar & car parking for 5 people
Lot 25: A fully signed England Football shirt
Lot 26: 2 tickets UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifier England vs Wales 6 September (Block 142, row 5, seats 250 & 251)
Lot 27: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for 2 people at the exquisite Rockcliffe Hall, Co Durham (rockliffehall.com) together with use of Spa at a date of your choice
Lot 29: A VIP box at any of this season's Middlesbrough FC games at the Riverside stadium including full hospitality for 4 people
Lot 30: Lunch for 4 at Cafe 21 (cafetwentyone.co.uk), Newcastle at date to be confirmed - hosted by Graeme Lowden, President & Sporting Director of Virgin F1 racing. Guests will also receive Virgin F1 racing memorabilia.
Limited tickets to the dinner are still available by calling 01642 457985 or emailing elaine@zoes-place.org.uk
Those unable to attend the dinner can place a pre-auction bid for items by emailing elaine@zoe-place.org.uk
For further information about Zoe's Place visit zoes-place.org.uk