Former Formula One World champion Damon Hill OBE has paid tribute to ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and one of its staff for raising funds for charity.
The 55-year-old British motor racing legend is patron of the Down’s Syndrome Association and praised NGK and Sales Manager Stuart Bayne for helping raise more than £17,000 for the charity.
Starting from NGK’s Hemel Hempstead headquarters he rode through five countries in just nine days to reach the company’s spark plug factory at Meung Sur Loire in southern France, visiting NGK’s European headquarters at Ratingen near Dusseldorf, Germany.
Th 1996 F1 World Champion and double BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Damon commented, “It is fantastic what Stuart has done for the Down’s Syndrome Association as the charity relies solely on donations. Thank you to everyone at NGK for your efforts and your initiative. Anytime someone undertakes such an endeavor it shows how much people are prepared to help. I am slightly envious of Stuart’s achievement as I have taken part in a couple of charity cycle rides and know how much fun and camaraderie they engender.”
Stuart’s fund-raising journey last year was designed to help mark the 40th anniversary of ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd which was incorporated as a UK subsidiary company of Japan in 1975.
The 52-year-old father-of-three from Haverhill added, “It was really hard work, not just physically, but mentally, as each day I had to force myself to get up and get on the bike. It was a marathon endurance test, but worth it. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, particularly NGK and Stuart Larder who I couldn’t have done it without.”
